Hospitals and health systems have turned their heads toward the ASC industry as a new opportunity for growth.

Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Foundation Health Plan has purchased a medical office building in Santa Clarita, Calif., for $67 million, according to a Jan. 23 report from the Real Deal. 

The University of Vermont Medical Center submitted a certificate of need with intention to purchase a Colchester-based medical campus owned by Covenant Health for $17.3 million. 

Surgery Ventures, HCA Healthcare's ASC business, has acquired a majority interest in two Texas ASCs. 

The Citizens' Council for Health Freedom, a nonprofit organization focused on healthcare policy, raised concerns over General Catalyst's recently announced plans to acquire Akron, Ohio-based Summa Health and its intent to convert the health system and insurance plan into a for-profit entity.

Nampa, Idaho-based Saltzer Health is planning to sell or shut down by March 29.

General Catalyst led a $95.5 million funding round for a Texas-based physician clinic chain in early January, and a week later the investment firm announced plans to acquire Akron, Ohio-based Summa Health.

United Surgical Partners International is the largest ASC chain in the U.S., making it a major force in the industry.

A 160,000-square-foot medical office building and ASC in Hudson, Wis., has sold to Hammes Partners, according to a Jan. 18 report from Commercial Property Executive.

Aliso Viejo, Calif.-based Nvision Eye Centers has partnered with San Antonio-based ophthalmology group Parkhurst NuVision.

ASCs might just be the golden ticket hospitals have been searching for. 

Five ASC leaders joined Becker's to discuss how a potential economic downturn could affect ambulatory healthcare space growth. 

In 2023, OptumHealth saw 900,000 more patients under value-based care, according to a Jan. 12 call with investors transcribed by Seeking Alpha. 

Optum earned $226.6 billion in total revenue in 2023 — an increase of 22% year over year, according to the company's fourth-quarter financial report. 

Tacoma, Wash.-based MultiCare Health System has made plans to acquire Astria Ambulatory Surgical Center in Yakima, Wash., Yakima Herald-Republic reported Jan. 12.

With 70% of ASCs remaining independent as of 2022, according to a report from VMG Health, consolidation may seem like a fairly distant problem. But as health systems, management companies and private equity firms take interest in ASCs, it may be time to ask if consolidation is a threat worth taking seriously. 

The 48,000-square-foot Wellington (Fla.) Medical Arts Pavilion has sold to Rendina Healthcare Real Estate and Artemis Real Estate Partners for $18.3 million, according to a Jan. 11 report from REBusiness Online.

Most health system leaders expect 2024's merger and acquisition activity to look similar to 2023, according to a Jan. 4 VMG Health survey.

Brentwood, Tenn.-based Surgery Partners affirmed its 2023 adjusted earnings were between $436 million and $440 million. 

Optum, parent company of ASC chain SCA Health, already is poised to make two major moves in 2024.