Georgia Lawmakers Demand Amerigroup Reverse 30% Autism Therapy Cuts for Foster Children
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 25
Georgia Lawmakers Demand Amerigroup Reverse 30% Autism Therapy Cuts for Foster Children
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 25
Summary
State Sen. Brian Strickland joined families and providers at the Georgia Capitol to press Amerigroup to undo a 30% cut to ABA therapy reimbursement that took effect Sept. 1 for foster children on Medicaid.
Advocates say the reduction hits technician-delivered one-on-one care that many children rely on, warning interrupted treatment can quickly erase gains in communication, safety skills and behavior.
Taylor Sanders of the Autism Families Alliance has warned up to 75% of clinics could close or stop serving foster children, and cited a 3-year-old who had just begun speaking as one family now fearing lost access.
Amerigroup told local media it rebalanced rates by service complexity—raising some planning and caregiver-engagement payments while cutting certain technician rates—and said medically necessary autism services remain covered.
The dispute has widened into a political fight after earlier reports tied the cuts to fallout from a broader Trump administration Medicaid fraud crackdown, with advocates demanding families and clinicians help review any policy changes.