Ambulatory Surgery Centers: Rapid Growth and Lack of Oversight in California, by John Stahl, Esq. Concern regarding the relatively little public information about heavily utilized ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in California prompted the California HealthCare Foundation to research ownership statistics and other data regarding these facilities that service rapidly increasing numbers of workers' compensation claimants, Medicare and Medicaid recipients, and general healthcare patients. The Foundation published its findings in a report titled "Ambulatory Surgery Centers: Big Business, Little Data." Read more.

State with the highest number (11.63) of operating rooms in freestanding ambulatory surgical centers per 100,000 population: Maryland.

State with the lowest number (0.32) of operating rooms in freestanding ambulatory surgical centers per 100,000 population: Vermont.

States at the top of the list: 6.01 to 12 operating rooms in freestanding ASCs per 100,000 population: AZ, DE, FL, ID, IN, MD, MS, NV, TN, WA, WY.

States at the bottom of the list: 0 to 3 operating rooms in freestanding ASCs per 100,000 population: DC, HI, KY, MA, ME, MI, NM, NY, VA, VT, WV.

States in the middle range: 3.01 to 6 operating rooms in freestanding ASCs per 100,000 population: All other states.

Surveillance Video Rejected When Not Disclosed to Claimant Prior to Testimony, by Thomas A. Robinson, JD. The claimant sustained a work-related injury in 2007 and was awarded workers' compensation benefits. At a 2011 hearing, the Workers' Compensation Law Judge continued benefits pursuant to a temporary total disability and-at the request of the employer and its workers' compensation carrier-questioned claimant as to whether he had engaged in any work activities that might affect his compensation award. Immediately after the WCLJ finished these questions, the carrier raised the issue of whether claimant had violated Workers' Compensation Law § 114-a, and requested an opportunity to present surveillance video and the testimony of its investigator. Read more about this case and other cases on Workers' Comp Insurance, Retaliatory Discharge, and Reduction of Benefits.