ASCA

One World Surgery (OWS) opened the first ASC in the Dominican Republic (DR) this summer. ASCA has been a supporter of OWS since it opened its first ASC in 2008 in Honduras. We have been a part of OWS’s journey through the highs and lows and in expanding the organization’s impact over the years.

With the rising demand for outpatient procedures and the need for high-quality, cost-effective care, ASCA’s advocacy efforts are critical in shaping policies, influencing regulations and ensuring that ASCs continue to thrive and provide essential services to millions of patients each year.

ASCA is the leading advocate for the growth, success and sustainability of surgery centers across the U.S. ASCs have become a cornerstone of modern healthcare, providing cost-effective and high-quality outpatient care for millions of patients each year. Given what we know about the interests of the new administration concerning healthcare, we think our 2025 public policy priorities are well-positioned for serious consideration as the year progresses. 

March is National Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Awareness Month, a good time to reflect on the incidence and life-threatening consequences of this disease. It is also a good time to consider the many lives that have been saved through early screenings and the use of colonoscopy, the gold standard for detection and prevention. 

With Donald Trump the declared winner of the U.S. presidential election in November, it is still too soon to say exactly what the next four years will mean for surgery centers. During his first term as president, Trump eliminated some regulatory burdens on surgery centers and added numerous additional procedures to the ASC Covered Procedures List (ASC CPL).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its 2025 proposed payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) in July. It invited all interested parties to submit comments by September 9.