DOJ Sues to Block UnitedHealth's Optum $3.3 Billion Amedisys Deal Over Home Health Competition

Nov 12, 2024, 06:59 PM

The U.S. Department of Justice, along with four U.S. states, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to block UnitedHealth Group's $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys, citing concerns that the deal would harm competition in the home health and hospice services market. The DOJ alleges that UnitedHealth's Optum unit, which proposed the takeover, rigged the bidding process for Amedisys. The complaint also addresses potential loss of labor competition, suggesting the merger could reduce wages for nurses and other healthcare workers.