Healthcare Newsletter Reporting on services that support the life sciences including Deals, Investments Optum acquisition represents a big bet on physician services The health-service division of UnitedHealth Group agreed to acquire to Surgical Care Affiliates Inc. for $2.3 billion, adding to its roster of physician groups and clinics. The deal substantially expands UnitedHealth’s provider footprint in the U.S. The acquisition was announced on January 9th, while Republicans in Congress were working intently to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). That action has created uncertainty for healthcare providers about the viability of insured, paying patients. Despite that uncertainty, UnitedHealth continued what has been a yearlong acquisition of physician groups and urgent-care clinic operators. Surgical Care is being purchased for $57 per share with 51% to 80% of the price in UnitedHealth stock. Affiliates of private equity firm TPG Capital owns about 30% of Surgical Care MarketWatch Mars diversifies, buying pet healthcare provider VCA for $7.7 billion While the candy and pet food conglomerate are best known for candies (M&Ms, Snickers), the acquisition adds about 800 pet hospitals to its network of more than 900 clinics. Candy manufacturers have been diversifying their businesses as consumers back away from sugar-based products. The growth in pet healthcare has been about 7.5% per year over the past several years according to analysts. Reuters WPP’s Grey Buys Canadian Healthcare Agency
|
