The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition has responded to the decision by Aya Healthcare to terminate its proposed acquisition of Cross Country Healthcare. The announcement follows an assessment by FTC staff, who raised concerns about the impact of the merger on competition in the healthcare managed services sector.
FTC Bureau of Competition Director Daniel Guarnera stated: “FTC staff identified significant competitive concerns with Aya Healthcare’s proposed acquisition of Cross Country Healthcare. The deal would have eliminated head-to-head competition between two of the largest firms providing the software and services that hospitals use to find, hire, and manage their pools of traveling nurses and other temporary healthcare workers. Further consolidation in this important market risked reducing the options available for many thousands of healthcare workers, increasing hospitals’ expenses, and ultimately raising healthcare costs for American patients.
I want to thank the FTC staff who worked on this matter. The Bureau of Competition will continue to investigate and—when necessary—file enforcement actions to protect competition in healthcare and labor markets for the benefit of American patients and workers, especially when those transactions form part of a broader consolidation strategy.”
The FTC emphasizes its ongoing mission to promote competition and protect consumers. The agency also reminds consumers that it does not request money or make threats as part of its operations. Additional information about how competition affects consumers, instructions for filing antitrust complaints, or submitting comments on proposed mergers are available through the FTC’s online resources. Updates can be accessed via social media channels, press release subscriptions, and the agency’s blog.
