Healthcare has been a focus of private-equity investment for years, driving consolidation throughout the industry.

A group of nurse practitioners has sued New York state in federal court alleging their employer has them doing the same work as physicians, but for substantially less pay. 

Here are five new ASCs and outpatient surgery centers that have opened or in the works in Texas, as reported by Becker's since Sept. 6:

Grand Blanc, Mich.-based McLaren Health Care has established a heart and vascular institute to unify its 13 hospital-based cardiology, vascular, and cardiothoracic services and cardiovascular diagnosis, treatment and prevention activities, according to an Oct. 14 report from DBusiness.

A California bill will go into effect Oct. 16 requiring healthcare facilities, including ASCs, to meet certain wage requirements, law firm Buchalter wrote in JDSupra. 

Inflation has had serious effects across all aspects of the U.S. economy, and healthcare is no different. 

While AI enhances certain predictive analytics, the risk of over-reliance on the technology could lead to incorrect diagnosis and the erosion of the physician-patient relationship, according to Sarah Worthy, CEO of DoorSpace, a healthcare-oriented human resources consulting firm, in a blog post published by Medical Economics Oct. 9. 

Physician practice ownership has been declining for decades. In 2022, just 44% of physicians owned their practices, compared with 76% in the early 1980s, according to a report from the American Medical Association.

In 2021, an advisory panel lowered the recommended age for when people should begin colon cancer screenings from 50 to 45, and according to a new study, patients are complying with the change. 

San Ramon, Calif.-based Hill Physician Medical Group is expanding its physician network by partnering with Kentfield, Calif.-based Marin Health and University of California San Francisco Health, The Press Democrat reported Oct. 14. 

Gastroenterologists across the U.S. are voicing concerns about three key policies affecting patient care, screening accuracy and physician reimbursements. 

East Setauket, N.Y.-based Three Village Medical Care, owned by Siva Kolupoti, MD, has joined Stony Brook (N.Y.) Medicine Community Medical Group, TBR News Media reported Oct. 14. 

Patients at Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt Clinic may have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis B and C while undergoing routine colonoscopy procedures, according to an Oct. 12 report from Fox affiliate WZTV. 

In a new survey, Medscape laid out how much self-employed and employed physicians are paying for malpractice premiums annually and how they feel about it.  

CVS Health is planning to close or sell 29 regional pharmacies and discontinue its infusion services offerings, according to a statement shared with Becker's. 

Round Rock, Texas-based Advanced Pain Care has opened an ASC in Killeen, Texas, according to an Oct. 13 report from the Killeen Daily Herald. 

A San Diego physician and her medical practice have agreed to pay $3.8 million to settle allegations they knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare and TriCare. 

A former physician at Tufts Medical Center in Boston is suing her former employer, alleging she was wrongfully terminated after she refused the COVID-19 vaccine, The Boston Globe reported Oct. 10. 

ASCs, physicians and hospitals alike have struggled with declining reimbursements, patient care issues and administrative burdens associated with Medicare Advantage plans — pushing some to drop the program entirely. 

Interventional cardiologist Zaid Alirhayim, MD, has joined the Baxter Health Cardiovascular Clinic.