For my vascular surgery colleagues, quoted from the article: "Additionally, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery is among the most capital-intensive specialties to sustain independently, with high overhead, expensive equipment, and heavy hospital dependency making these groups particularly vulnerable to acquisition. A 2022 analysis in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that rising practice costs combined with declining reimbursement were placing established independent cardiothoracic surgery practices “at risk for closure or purchase by hospital systems.” Independent vascular practices have been hanging on by the skin of their teeth for a while now. They shouldn't be, though. OBL/ASC models for vascular care are scalable and easily deployable in vascular care deserts. But they require capital to do so and physicians willing to invest in them. Accessible care that is cheaper than the hospital should be a goal for healthcare financing going forward. With continued effort, we may be able to get back on the right track! @AmCollSurgeons @VascularSVS @MeganTracci @BobTahara @OEISociety
