WASHINGTON—A federal judge grilled the Justice Department on Thursday over its antitrust claims that UnitedHealth Group $13 billion acquisition of health-technology firm Change Healthcare would suppress competition and limit innovation in health insurance markets.
During closing arguments, U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols questioned the department’s arguments that he should block the deal because it would limit competition for technology used in claims processing and would give UnitedHealth access to sensitive industry data that it could use to harm competitors.
