US sues to block UnitedHealth’s $3.3 billion purchase of Amedisys

(Reuters) – The Justice Department and three U.S. states filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to block UnitedHealth Group’s $3.3 billion purchase of Amedisys Inc over concern the deal would harm competition in the market for home health services, the department said.

“Eliminating the competition between UnitedHealth and Amedisys would harm patients who receive home health and hospice services, insurers who contract for home health services, and nurses who provide home health and hospice services,” the department said in a statement.

(Reporting by Rami Ayyub)