Here are the most-read stories on Becker's ASC Review the week of July 6-10:

In a June 30 letter, William Prentice, CEO of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, urged Congress to help preserve patient access to healthcare throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former CEO of Gallatin, Tenn.-based Comprehensive Pain Specialists John Davis was sentenced to prison for his role in a $4 million Medicare kickback scheme.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expanded the state's elective surgery ban to more than 100 counties July 9, after COVID-19-related hospitalizations hit a record high, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tenn., could close its surgery center if COVID-19 cases continue to increase in the community, the Jackson Sun reports.

Leawood, Kan.-based ValueHealth and Wilmington, Del.-based ChristianaCare entered into a joint venture to advance value-based care in Delaware and the surrounding regions.

CarolinaEast Health System in New Bern, N.C., is relaxing some of its visitation restrictions, which were implemented in late March to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

San Antonio-based Babcock Surgical Center filed for bankruptcy, according to the San Antonio Business Journal.

In the past year, Becker's ASC Review has reported on five cases involving alleged theft from surgery centers:

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how patients seek care and perceive hospitals, several reports and experts indicate.

San Francisco-based Dignity Health, a part of Chicago-based CommonSpirit, aims to develop a new medical office building with a surgery center, according to the Sacramento Bee.

ASCs were in line for substantial growth before the COVID-19 pandemic, and while patient volumes dropped to as low as 20 percent in April, recovery has been swift and the growth opportunities emerging from the pandemic are significant. 

Surgery Partners is one of the largest ASC chains in the U.S. with more than 180 locations nationwide.

Kingsport, Tenn.-based Holston Medical Group opened MeadowView Surgery Center June 22 and completed its first cases soon thereafter.

Walgreens is testing a new type of store that cuts down on square footage and emphasizes the pharmacy. Internally, the pilot project is dubbed "Cooper," according to CNBC. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation June 30 suspending elective surgeries at hospitals in four more counties to ensure beds are available for patients with COVID-19.

ASC patient volumes are recovering as centers resume full operations across the U.S.

United Surgical Partners International, AmSurg and Surgical Care Affiliates are among the longest-lasting and largest ASC chains in the U.S.

Dan Murrey, MD, is a pioneer in the ASC industry and at the forefront of growing centers across the country as the chief medical officer of Surgical Care Affiliates.

Greene County, Ohio, commissioners passed a resolution ordering Xenia, Ohio-based Greene Memorial Hospital to reinstate several vital services at the hospital by Sept. 1, including reopening its surgery center, the Xenia Daily Gazette reports.