Editor's Note A federal shutdown has halted critical healthcare programs, disrupted Medicare telehealth and hospital-at-home coverage, and escalated partisan conflict over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid, multiple outlets report, including HealthLeaders October 1 and KFF Health News. The budget impasse reportedly is leaving both patients and providers in…

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Editor's Note Sports medicine surgical procedures for Medicare patients cost significantly less in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) compared with hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs), according to a study published by the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine on August 29. Researchers analyzed Medicare Procedure Price Lookup data for 62 commonly billed outpatient…

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Editor's Note Bariatric surgery delivers greater weight loss and lower long-term costs than GLP-1 medications, Ambulatory Surgery Center News September 18 reports. A new JAMA Surgery study of more than 30,000 patients found that surgical patients lost nearly three times as much weight as those on medication while generating meaningful…

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Editor's Note This October 28–30, perioperative leaders will gather in Anaheim, California, for the OR Manager Conference—the only event designed exclusively for OR, ASC, PACU, and SPD managers and directors. More than a conference, it is an immersive experience that blends education, networking, and practical solutions to help perioperative leaders…

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Editor's Note According to a Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) analysis, the US healthcare system is in “serious condition,” with affordability collapsing and provider financial risk escalating, HealthLeaders September 19 reports. The group’s new Healthcare Vitals Tracker scored the industry just 35.9 out of 100, compared to a peak of…

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Editor's Note Ascension posted a $917.7 million net income for fiscal 2025 and credits ambulatory growth and tighter spending controls, Healthcare Dive September 19 reports. The nonprofit system reversed a $1.07 billion loss from the prior year and said results reflect “operational discipline,” including improved labor productivity and reduced spend…

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Growth is the goal in any ASC—growth in volume, growth in profits, and often growth to new locations. For DISC Surgery Centers, which just opened its sixth ambulatory surgery center (ASC) through parent company TriasMD, that growth has been the result of many factors. A key driver, according to Frank…

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Editor's Note Surgical quality leaders are pushing boundaries with new strategies that blend technology, frontline engagement, and national-local collaboration. That was the message from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Quality and Safety Conference (QSC), held July 17–20, 2025, in San Diego, according to a September 10 ACS report. The…

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Editor's Note Innovation is transforming surgical care faster than most institutions can keep pace, but leaders must distinguish between investments that advance patient care and those that add cost without meaningful benefit. That is the central message from a September 8 Harvard Medical School article featuring insights from Jon O.…

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Editor's Note Startups selling artificial intelligence (AI) tools to hospitals are putting money on the line, offering guaranteed returns in a bid to win business from Epic and other entrenched vendors, Modern Healthcare September 16 reports. Several AI companies are reportedly restructuring their pricing strategies to reassure buyers and prove…

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