UnitedHealth Group has decided to abandon its proposed acquisitions of Stewardship Health Inc. and a related company after facing scrutiny from the Justice Department's Antitrust Division. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter commented on the matter, emphasizing the importance of affordable and accessible healthcare for Americans.

"When you ask Americans what keeps them up at night, affording and accessing quality health care is too often at the top of their list," said Kanter. "These transactions are among UnitedHealth Group’s latest proposed provider-related acquisitions, and they raised questions about quality of care, cost of care and working conditions for doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers."

Kanter expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Antitrust Division’s team in addressing these issues. "I am grateful for the Antitrust Division’s lawyers, economists, paralegals and professional staff who are tireless in their commitment to identify and address pressing antitrust problems in healthcare markets," he stated.