Federal officials are concerned about increasing private equity investment in home and community-based services and other offerings for people with disabilities and they want the public to weigh in.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services recently issued a joint request for information about the impact of health care mergers, acquisitions and other transactions by private equity funds or other alternative asset managers, health systems or private payers.

“Given recent trends, we are concerned that some transactions may generate profits for those firms at the expense of patients’ health, workers’ safety, quality of care and affordable health care for patients and taxpayers,” reads the agencies’ request.

Specifically, the agencies said they’re looking for insight on how transactions involving health care providers — including home and community-based services providers for people with disabilities and behavioral health providers — are impacting patients, communities, workers and more.

Federal officials said they’re particularly interested in transactions that are too low in value to require review by the FTC or the Justice Department.

“We are also interested in hearing directly from patients and health care workers about how their experiences in the health care system changed after a facility or other provider where they work or receive treatment or services was acquired or underwent a merger,” the notice indicates.

The agencies said that information provided may help them identify enforcement priorities or inform new regulations.

Comments will be accepted through June 5.

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