ASCA News Digest

Published April 21, 2026

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Rubber glove makers have raised prices and warned of production cuts as the Iran war chokes supplies of key inputs, raising concerns for the healthcare sector. Glove makers have already hiked the average price of synthetic rubber gloves by around 40% to as high as $29 for a box of 1,000, according to Oong Chun Sung, an equity research analyst at CIMB Securities.
Reuters (04/17/26) Ruth Chai; Ashley Tang
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Online registration for the ASCA + SAMBA Conference & Expo closes this Friday, April 24.

Join more than a thousand ASC professionals from across the country May 13–16 in National Harbor, MD, just outside the nation’s capital. For the first time ever, ASCA has joined forces with SAMBA (Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia) to provide a rich, interdisciplinary learning experience for the entire ASC community.

Don’t miss your chance to access high-impact education, meaningful networking opportunities and the latest innovations in outpatient surgery. Check out the schedule and register today!
ASCA Content (04/21/26)
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SPONSORED CONTENT
ASC Insights: Real Stories, Real Results, Real Impact.
Through in-depth conversations with ASC medical directors, administrators, and clinical leaders, we're documenting real-world experiences with technology implementation, operational innovation, and strategic decision-making. These aren't marketing stories—they're peer-to-peer insights from leaders who've faced the same challenges you're navigating today.

Listen now.

New data from the American Medical Association (AMA) show physician burnout continuing to decline nationwide, but significant differences across medical specialties underscore the need for more targeted solutions within health systems. In 2025, 41.9% of physicians reported experiencing at least one symptom of burnout—down from 43.2% in 2024 and 48.2% in 2023—reflecting steady progress in physician well-being also found in peer-reviewed research. However, AMA-exclusive data reveal that the burden of burnout is not shared equally by physicians across medicine.
AMA Press Release (04/16/26)
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Save Up To 50% on Demo & Refurbished Medical Equipment
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ASCA Benchmarking, formerly known as ASCA’s Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey, has been completely redesigned to deliver a more modern, streamlined experience for your facility. This valuable survey is now free for ASCA members!

Highlights of the new survey include:
  • a user-friendly design that makes participation easier than ever
  • a personalized experience so you see only questions relevant to your center
  • expanded and more detailed questions that provide deeper insights
  • new specialty tracks for pediatrics, cardiovascular and endoscopy
Data submission for the first quarter closes next Thursday, April 30subscribe today!
ASCA Content (04/21/26)
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OEM Devices You Already Use—At a Discounted Price

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Strengthening America’s medicine supply chain is a national and economic security imperative and critical to ensuring millions of Americans have reliable access to the medications they need. Supply chain vulnerabilities are particularly acute when production of key inputs is geographically concentrated or limited to a small number of suppliers.
USP Issue Brief (04/16/26)
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Learn how one ASC reduced aged AR by 33% and boosted cash per case by 6% in six months through focused revenue integrity, analytics, and hands-on collaboration. The results highlight what’s possible when strategy and execution align.

Read more.

Share your ASC experience with others by leading a presentation at the ASCA 2027 Conference & Expo in Orlando, FL, March 31–April 3.

ASCA is interested in proposals from individuals with hands-on experience in the ASC community on topics involving human resources, clinical care, quality, finance, legal issues, information technology, anesthesia and more.

The submission deadline is next Thursday, April 30. Submit your proposal today.
ASCA Content (04/21/26)
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The Tennessee Senate approved an amended bill from the House of Representatives that would dissolve the Certificate of Public Advantage, which allowed for the creation of Ballad Health, in mid-2028. The bill included an amendment that would remove the Certificate of Need requirement for establishing a new hospital in the area in mid-2028.
WJHL-TV (TN) (04/16/26) Slater Teague
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SPONSORED CONTENT
ASC Focus Reimagined

Look for a bold redesign of ASC Focus coming in May at the ASCA + SAMBA Conference & Expo! Get ready for fresh layouts, vibrant visuals and sharper storytelling. This new look reflects our evolving voice keeping pace with the changing media landscape. While staying true to our roots, the redesign delivers a modern, more intuitive and engaging experience for our readers.

Nominate that special person in your surgery center for the ASC Focus 10 Under 40 Honors program, which recognizes rising stars who are making waves in their surgery centers and shaping the ASC community. If you know a young leader driving real change and innovation, this is your chance to spotlight their impact. Submit your nomination today!
ASCA Content (04/21/26)
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President Donald Trump has repeatedly said his deals with drugmakers would bring down prescription drug prices in the U.S. But a report released by Senate Democrats finds prices have continued to climb — in some cases, sharply.
NBC News (04/16/26) Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
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Get to know ASCA’s Board of Directors through the ASC Focus series of Q&A interviews. Read this Digital Debut to learn more about Dare Underwood Meeks, RN, CASC, ASCA Board member and chief nursing officer at SCA Health in Birmingham, Alabama.
ASCA Content (04/21/26)
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Children with intellectual disabilities and related conditions (IDRC) and autism often require dental treatment in surgical settings. Studies of older adults suggest that ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) can reduce costs without reducing quality, but it is unknown whether this is true for children with autism and IDRC and dental surgeries.
Hospital Pediatrics (04/15/26) Katherine M. Rancaño; Xiaoxi Zhao; Elizabeth L. Munnich; et al.
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News summaries © copyright 2026 Smithbucklin
About ASCA

Mission: The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) is the national membership association that represents ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and provides advocacy and resources to assist ASCs in delivering high-quality, cost-effective ambulatory surgery to all the patients they serve.

About Us: At ASCA, we are eager to help you become better acquainted with our nation's ASCs and the people who own and operate them. We are also eager to help you develop policies on ASC-related issues. If you have questions, please contact us. We'll put you in touch with the experts and, if you like, arrange for you to visit an ASC in your area.

Contact Us: Advertising inquiries should be addressed to Chris Schriever or Alex Yewdell at 202.337.1897 or at advertising@ascassociation.org.

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