ASCA’s Kara Newbury breaks down 2026 CMS Final Rule, discusses 2027 initiatives

Kara Newbury, JD, chief advocacy officer of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), recently spent some time with OR Manager to discuss the impact of CMS’ 2026 Final Payment Rule, as well as how ASCA is working with both regulators and legislators to achieve even more gains for the ASC industry.

Kara Newbury, JD, chief advocacy officer, Ambulatory Surgery Center Association

Among the topics Ms. Newbury addressed in our interview:

• New codes to the ASC Covered Procedures List
• The continued use of the hospital market basket to update ASC reimbursements, and ASCA's initiative to codify the mechanism through legislation
• ASCA's efforts to work CMS to mitigate the continuing anesthesia reimbursement and staffing crisis
• Changes by CMS to its ASC Quality Reporting Program based on feedback from ASCA and its members
• ASCA's ongoing advocacy efforts regarding the 2027 Final Rule
• Working with Congress to pass ASC-friendly legislation
• Working with the Trump administration's CMS staff

Read our full report on our conversation with Ms. Newbury here.