Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) is calling on Attorney General Letitia James and the State Health Department to investigate Optum Health for detrimental health care following its widespread acquisition of health care providers around the Hudson Valley.

Optum Health, a subsidiary of United Health Care, has taken over much of the region’s health care through mergers and acquisitions, including CareMount Medical in 2022 and Crystal Run Healthcare in 2023.

“These acquisitions and mergers were approved with the understanding that health care would improve for patients, based on representations made by Optum. But services have declined,” Jacobson said. “We need an inquiry into the lack of services due to the takeover of these health facilities by Optum.”

Patient complaints have pointed to deteriorating quality since the acquisitions. Patients are waiting up to three months for routine treatment such as an annual physical. Treatment for more specialized care takes months longer, even if the patient has been treated at the same facility for years.

Optum is owned by United Health Care — the largest health insurance company in the United States.

Optum also includes OptumRx, a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) and OptumInsight, a data analytics and technology services provider.

“This vertical integration of various parts of the health care system by one large entity, together with the acquisition of or merger with competing health providers, stifles competition and leaves patients with few options,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson is asking the Attorney General to investigate whether these practices constitute monopolistic and anti-competitive practices.