Ascension closes AmSurg deal following FTC scrutiny

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Ascension first introduced plans to amass AmSurg final 12 months, as a part of the Health system’s technique to prioritize outpatient progress. The Health system had invested in lower-cost outpatient settings and divested inpatient amenities lately, a method more and more in style amongst hospital operators fearful about looming coverage headwinds and bills.

Beforehand, AmSurg had been owned by non-public equity-backed doctor staffing agency Envision Healthcare, however the firm was cut up off following Envision’s chapter in 2023.

Ascension initially anticipated the acquisition to shut late final 12 months, however scrutiny by federal regulators held up the deal.

Regulators fearful the acquisition might increase healthcare costs, provided that each corporations present outpatient surgical procedures in overlapping markets.

To alleviate these issues, the FTC stated the deal might undergo so long as Ascension offered surgical procedure facilities in Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. Regulators additionally stated they might appoint a monitor to supervise compliance.

Ascension agreed. On Thursday, Ascension CEO Eduardo Conrado stated the acquisition of AmSurg positioned the Health system to more and more transfer “past the standard hospital setting.”