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‘We could have had him longer’: Georgia mother says insurance approvals cost her time with dying son
By Abby Kousouris at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 8, 2026
· 3 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Kathy Lemoine said her son, Andrew, was diagnosed with terminal Stage 4 colorectal cancer at 29, and that the family repeatedly ran into insurance prior authorization requirements for procedures, medications and supportive care. Lemoine said one of the biggest ...
Key takeaway Lemoine said one of the biggest fights was over intravenous nutrition, known as total parenteral nutrition, or TPN, which she believed could have helped Andrew maintain strength in his final months.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The story of Kathy Lemoine and her son Andrew puts a face to the frustrating and often devastating effects of prior authorization requirements in Georgia's healthcare system. As the state's lawmakers have recently taken steps to address this issue with Senate Bill 444, it remains to be seen how effectively this new law will protect patients from automated denials and delays in care. The law's provision limiting insurers' use of artificial intelligence as the sole basis for denying coverage is a crucial step, but its impact will depend on how it is implemented and enforced. For Atlanta residents, this means paying close attention to how local healthcare providers and insurers adapt to the new law, and whether patients like Andrew will have better access to timely and necessary care in the future. The Georgia Hospital Association and advocacy groups like Georgia Watch will likely play key roles in monitoring the law's effects and pushing for further reforms if needed.
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: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Kathy Lemoine said her son, Andrew, was diagnosed with terminal Stage 4 colorectal cancer at 29, and that the family repeatedly ran into insurance prior authorization requirements for procedures, medications and supportive care. Lemoine said one of the biggest ...
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 Abby Kousouris 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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