FMC slips after new US kidney-care strategy

** Shares in dialysis provider Fresenius Medical Care FMEG.DE slip around 2% to the bottom of Germany's blue-chip DAX index .GDAXI

** A local trader flags a new US kidney-care strategy announced by the Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday

** Berenberg analyst Harry Gillis notes the plan is critical to FMC and its US competitor DaVita DVA.N, highlighting potential scrutiny of nephrologist partnerships, Medicare Advantage pricing and charities that help pay patients' insurance premiums

** "Nothing changes today, but the market is reacting to a longer-term risk to profitability," Gillis says

** Metzler analyst Victor Beyer says the plan could create uncertainty around FMC's future market share and reimbursement environment

** FMC welcomed the initiative, saying in a statement that its focus on innovation, home dialysis and transplantation aligns with its strategy