local
Georgia Medicaid coverage cuts could leave special-needs kids without therapy
By Ciara Cummings at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· June 26, 2026
· 4 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Georgia lawmakers are criticizing CareSource over reimbursement cuts that are leading clinics across the state to stop accepting patients who use the insurer, one of three companies that manage Medicaid coverage in Georgia.Three-year-old Joanna Lopez is among t...
Key takeaway “Roughly every even to 10 days, she will ‘lose’ one side of her body so that hemisphere of the brain becomes suppressed,” Lopez said.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The reimbursement cuts by CareSource will have far-reaching consequences for special-needs children in Atlanta, who rely heavily on therapy services to manage their conditions. With clinics like Tender Ones Therapy forced to stop accepting CareSource Medicaid patients, families will be left to navigate a fragmented healthcare system in search of alternative providers. This disruption in care can have devastating effects on children's development and well-being, particularly those with complex conditions like alternating hemiplegia of childhood. The fact that 113 Georgia counties rely on special-needs therapists through CareSource underscores the breadth of the impact, with at least 71% of the state's pediatric Medicaid network potentially affected. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor the response of local healthcare providers and lawmakers to ensure that vulnerable populations are protected and that access to essential therapy services is preserved.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Georgia lawmakers are criticizing CareSource over reimbursement cuts that are leading clinics across the state to stop accepting patients who use the insurer, one of three companies that manage Medicaid coverage in Georgia.Three-year-old Joanna Lopez is among t...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ciara Cummings at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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