Legal/Regulatory Issues The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that a nationwide shortage of stereotactic breast biopsy needles due to a manufacturing disruption is expected to last through March 2027. In the meantime, it states that the supply disruption “is expected to impact patient care and may require adjustments to the…
According to reports from WSFA-TV and other media outlets, a federal bankruptcy judge has denied a request by Jackson Hospital of Montgomery, Ala., for a preliminary injunction against Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) in a decision that could have ramifications for other struggling rural and community hospitals.…
CMS is “taking steps to improve healthcare quality and patient safety through enhanced oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AO).” Announcing its final rule, “Strengthening Oversight of AO and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest,” CMS stated that it wants to ensure AOs “use Medicare standards.” It added that the final rule also…
Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) CEO Bill Prentice last week submitted comments in response to CMS’ 2027 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule. In particular, Mr. Prentice provided feedback on a request for information regarding the inclusion of ASCs in the Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) or “other similar episode-based…
No state in the union has fewer ASCs than Vermont does, at just two. But it appears that it will soon gain a third. According to reporting by Vermont Public, regulators at the Green Mountain Care Board have unanimously greenlit planned multispecialty ASC Upper Valley Surgery Center in Hartford, which…
Ascension announced that it has “received approval” from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to move forward with its acquisition of AMSURG’s ASC business. “This regulatory milestone is a significant step toward our expected official closing in the near future,” stated the nonprofit health system, which anticipates adding more than 250 ASCs…
Maryland has become the 21st U.S. state to require the use of surgical smoke evacuation systems in its ORs. On May 26, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed House Bill 1087 into law. It goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2028. The law requires all healthcare facilities in Maryland that perform surgical procedures…
According to Triangle Business Journal (link; subscription required), North Carolina lawmakers are advancing legislation to “roll back” parts of the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) law. Senate Bill 1040 (read the full text here) cleared the N.C. Senate Health Committee earlier this month and now heads to the Senate Appropriations/Base…
Insurance Business reports that Allstate has sued Florida Orthopedics and Neurosurgery, which does business as University Orthopedic Care, along with its two owners, “under federal racketeering law, accusing it of running a kickback-driven billing scheme that cost the insurer millions.” In the complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the…
The Surgery Center of Southern Oregon (SCSO) in Medford will close on June 30 after nearly three decades of operation. KOBI-TV, which broke the story last week, reported that the closing will cause the loss of 84 jobs. Local health system Asante partly owned SCSO and had worked since October…
