In its antitrust challenge to a UnitedHealth Group-Change Healthcare deal, the Department of Justice argued that the merger would allow UnitedHealth to access a treasure trove of data on its competitors, which it could use to help its health plan arm, UnitedHealthcare, get ahead.
The feds want another shot at blocking UnitedHealth Group's acquisition of Change Healthcare.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a notice of appeal late Friday, saying it would take the case to D.C. circuit court. In the brief filing, the DOJ added that New York and Minnesota would also join the legal challenge. UnitedHealth is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a suburb of the Twin Cities.
The filing did not specify any further details about the appeal.
UnitedHealth and Change won the right to proceed with their merger in district court in September and fully closed the deal Oct. 3. UnitedHealth has been integrating Change into its Optum subsidiary.
UnitedHealth Group said the appeal is "without merit" in a statement to Fierce Healthcare...
Author: Paige Minemyer
Place a moratorium on all health care related mergers until it can be figured out how previous mergers have affected the industry.