1. GI and orthopedics are the top specialties in ASCs by percentage of case volume. See the complete list of ASC specialties by percentage of case volume, from the VMG Health 2008 Intellimarker.

2. Massachusetts Law Requires Physician-Owned Surgery Centers to Prove Need for Development, Expansion.

3. ASCs nationally average 2.57 sterile operating rooms. Learn what the overall percentage of rooms operated by surgery centers are ORs and what are the other types of rooms operated by ASCs.

4. Fewer Patients Paying Bills (New York Times).

5. We are seeking parties to interview regarding our Feb. 2009 special issue on mergers and acquistions of ASCs. If you have ideas on people to interview for perspectives on buying and selling of ASCs, please email Scott Becker at sbecker@mcguirewoods.com.

6. 3 Ways to Get the Most Out of Generation Y, by Lt. Col. Bruce Bright of The Sanders Trust.

7. Great Place to Work: Ramapo Valley Surgical Center (Ramsey, N.J.).

See the list of great ASCs to work at -- along with coverage of bariatrics, general surgery and anesthesia in ASCs -- in the January issue of Becker's ASC Review.

8. Learn More About Our 3 Featured E-Weekly Advertisers: Ambulatory Surgical Group, Pentax and Amkai.

9. Latest Issues of McShane's Common Ground Newsletter Available.

10. In response to observations shared by Scott Becker about the presidential election in an article titled "Election 2008: 5 Quick Observations," in which Mr. Becker said he is grateful that the country is not likely to move to a single-payor system, reader Howard S. Rubin, MP, PhD, discusses 7 reasons he thinks a single-payor system could work well.

Do you have comments about a story you reader in Becker's ASC Review? E-mail them to Scott Becker at sbecker@mcguirewoods.com.

11. We are seeking speakers and topic suggestions for two conferences in the first half of 2009. First, we are seeking presenters for the McguireWoods healthcare private equity event to be held Feb. 26. Second, we are seeking speakers for the June 11 to 13 orthopedic, spine and pain management focused ASC conference to be held in Chicago. If you would like to submit a proposal or have suggestions for speakers, please e-mail Scott Becker at sbecker@mcguirewoods.com.

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

1. VMG Health. VMG Health is recognized by leading healthcare providers as one of the most trusted valuation and transaction advisors in the United States. VMG's experience is unparalleled and their credentials are unmatched.

2. Erdman (A Cogdell Spencer Company). For more than 50 years, the name Erdman has been synonymous with the delivery of innovative healthcare facility solutions. As an integrated provider, Erdman offers service from facility conception to completion, including advance planning, development, design and construction.

3. Meridian Surgical Partners. Meridian aligns with physicians in the acquisition, development and management of multi-specialty ASCs and surgical facilities. Meridian acquires interests in established physician-owned surgical facilities, as well as, partners with physicians seeking to grow their businesses locally through the development of new surgical facilities.

4. Eveia Health Consulting & Management. Founded by I. Naya Kehayes, MPH, Eveia Health Consulting & Management is comprised of a team of seasoned professionals who are experts in reimbursement management, managed care contracting, and business management with a specialization in ASCs and surgical practices. Senior management advise national corporations and provide leadership in health policy initiatives related to reimbursement on behalf of ASCs at both state and federal levels.

Surgical Notes. Surgical Notes is a nationwide provider of medical transcription, coding and other related value-added information technology services for ASCs. Surgical Notes offers the VMR Express, an electronic medical forms generator and document imaging solution and MyDoctorsNotes.com, an online, secure, interactive, personal health record portal for the general public to compile and organize all healthcare-related data.

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. SCB's extensive knowledge of payor responsibilities and managed care contracting ensures you'll receive the highest reimbursements possible.

HealthCare Appraisers. HealthCare Appraisers is a nationally recognized valuation and consulting firm providing services exclusively to the healthcare industry. Services include fair market value opinions for compensation and service arrangements, business valuation, consulting and advisory services, and litigation support.

Provation Medical. ProVation Medical has created ProVation EHR, the first electronic health record designed for busy, cost-conscious ASCs. ProVation EHR offers robust electronic documentation and document imaging for all elements of the patient encounter, from past records to procedure documentation to follow-up care.

Symbion. Symbion is a leading provider of high-quality surgical services across many specialties. Led by one of the industry's most experienced management teams, the company was founded in 1996 to acquire, develop and operate surgical facilities in partnership with physicians, hospitals and health systems.

SourceMedical. SourceMedical is the leading provider of outpatient information solutions and services, collectively serving ASCs and surgical hospitals. Its unique end-to-end systems improve operational efficiency and cash flow while empowering healthcare facilities to deliver a higher standard of patient care.