1. Physician Self-Referral Ban Suggested in AHA Proposed Health Reform Package.

2. GI/Endoscopy is the specialty with the highest percentage of cases in ASCs, but an ASC's net revenue can strongly affect this percentage and the case volume percentages of the other specialties performed in an ASC. See a comprehensive breakdown of case volume by ASC specialty as a percent of total cases, with these figures further categorized by an ASC's net revenue, from the VMG Health 2008 Intellimarker. 

3. U.S. Healthcare Spending Increases at Lowest Rate Since 1998; spending for physician and clinical services, including ASCs, grew 6.5 percent.

4. The prospectus for the 7th Annual Orthopedics, Spine and Pain Management-Focused ASC Conference held June 11-13, 2009, in Chicago is now available. We have less than 50 exhibit spots remaining. Download the prospectus and learn more about this exciting conference, which will feature Uwe Reinhardt, the 32nd most powerful person in healthcare as ranked by Modern Healthcare, speak about the future of healthcare. 

5. FTC Settles Price-Fixing Allegations With California and Colorado Physician Groups. 

6. Nursing Shortage Challenging Organizations Nationwide.

7. ASC Claims Matching: Practical Guidance to Ensure Fair Reimbursement, written by Jessica Edmiston of National Medical Billing Services.

8. Learn More About Our Featured E-Weekly Advertisers: National Surgical Care; ASCOA; and Physicians Capital.

9. Rusty Shelton of Prexus Health Discusses 4 ASC Mergers and Acquisitions Trends. 

10. Top 10 Hospital Stories of 2008.

If you'd like more information about or an introduction to any of these companies, please e-mail Scott Becker.

1. Amerinet. As a leading national group purchasing organization, Amerinet strategically partners with healthcare providers to reduce costs and improve quality through its Total Spend Management solutions and operational performance improvement programs, tools and services. Learn more about Amerinet.

2. Access MediQuip. Access MediQuip is one of the largest and most experienced providers of outsourced implantable device management solutions to the healthcare industry. Learn more about Access MediQuip.

3. Serbin Surgery Center Billing. Serbin Surgery Center Billing was founded in 2001 to provide the answer to ASCs' complex and unique billing needs, providing expert and accurate coding, billing, collections, and managed care negotiations solely to the ASC industry. Learn more about SCB.

4. National Surgical Care. National Surgical Care, a nationwide owner and operator of ambulatory surgical centers, focuses on addressing the needs and problems confronting surgery centers across the country. Learn more about NSC.

5. ASCOA. Since 1984, ASCOA's founders have helped physician-owners start and operate successful facilities; ASCOA currently owns and manages 34 facilities across the country with 14 others in development. Learn more about ASCOA.

6. Physicians Capital. This Nashville-based firm provides loans based solely on the future cash flow of a surgery or diagnostic center. Read more about Physicians Captial.

7. Amkai. Amkai is a software company with 20-plus years of experience delivering administrative and clinical solutions to ASCs, surgical hospitals and physician practices. Read more about Amkai.

8. HealthCare Appraisers. HealthCare Appraisers is a nationally recognized valuation and consulting firm providing services exclusively to the healthcare industry. Read more about HealthCare Appraisers.

9. MedHQ. MedHQ is an expert in accounting, revenue cycle, human resources and credentialing services and provides these business office functions to hospitals, ASCs, imaging centers and physician practices nationwide. Learn more about MedHQ.

10. SourceMedical. SourceMedical is the leading provider of outpatient information solutions and services, collectively serving ASCs and surgical hospitals. Learn more about SourceMedical.