AMA, SEIU ask court to stop UnitedHealth deal

A group of opponents including the AMA and the SEIU Nevada have filed suit to stop UnitedHealth Group's planned buyout of Las Vegas-based health plan Sierra Health Services. The deal already has been approved by the U.S. Department of Justice, but the groups are asking a federal court to reject the DoJ's decision. Groups opposing the buyout also include the Clark County Medical Society, Nevada State Medical Association and Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani. The groups say that the combined entity poses the threat of cutting physician compensation, as it would blend two of the three largest buyers of medical services in Clark County.

The two companies previously had signed a consent order with the DoJ [1] that would allow the $2.6 billion deal to move ahead as long as UHG sold most of its SecureHorizons Medicare Advantage business in Las Vegas. (Humana said it would buy UnitedHealth's MA plan for $185 million.) However, the consent order has to be approved by the court.

To learn more about this challenge to UnitedHealth:
- read this Modern Healthcare piece [2] (reg. req.)

Related Articles:
DoJ OKs UnitedHealth buyout of Sierra [1]
AMA tries to block UnitedHealth acquisition [3]
AMA cites antitrust activity among insurers [4]