UnitedHealth’s $3.3B Acquisition of Amedisys Challenged by DOJ Lawsuit on Antitrust Grounds

UnitedHealth Group’s $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys faces a new hurdle as the U.S. Department of Justice sued to block the merger, citing concerns over reduced competition in the home health services market. The DOJ argues that merging UnitedHealth and Amedisys would negatively impact patients, insurers, and home health providers. Optum, UnitedHealth’s health services unit, claims the acquisition would drive innovation, calling the DOJ's stance an overreaching interpretation of antitrust laws. Shares of UnitedHealth dropped more than 1%, while Amedisys shares fell over 2%