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PODCAST: Why some Georgia therapy clinics say they can’t survive a 20% cut
By Tim Darnell at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 8, 2026
· 7 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Hundreds of Georgia families who rely on Medicaid to cover speech, occupational and physical therapy for their children are watching a policy change ripple through an already-stressed system—and some fear it could mean fewer appointments, longer drives, and lon...
Key takeaway At the center of the concern: a reimbursement change announced by Caresource, one of the state’s three Medicaid managed care organizations and its largest.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The reimbursement cuts imposed by Caresource will have a disproportionate impact on Atlanta's most vulnerable populations, particularly those in low-income neighborhoods where access to healthcare is already limited. With clinics like Therapy Works preparing to close or stop accepting Medicaid patients, families will be forced to travel longer distances to find alternative providers, exacerbating existing health disparities. This could lead to a decline in health outcomes for children who rely on regular therapy sessions to manage conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, or developmental delays. As lawmakers criticize Caresource's decision, Atlanta residents should be watching to see how the city's healthcare infrastructure responds to this crisis, and whether local officials will step in to mitigate the effects of these cuts on the city's most vulnerable residents. The fate of clinics like Therapy Works will be a key indicator of the city's ability to protect access to essential healthcare services.
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 .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 7 min
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What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Hundreds of Georgia families who rely on Medicaid to cover speech, occupational and physical therapy for their children are watching a policy change ripple through an already-stressed system—and some fear it could mean fewer appointments, longer drives, and lon...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tim Darnell 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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