The Raleigh News & Observer, NC Newsline, The Carolina Journal, North Carolina Health News, WUNC, Behavioral Health Business and Spectrum News covered another important litigation victory for a McGuireWoods team fighting to preserve vital healthcare funding for 21 autistic children in the state.
On behalf of the children and their families, McGuireWoods challenged a 10% cut in North Carolina’s Medicaid reimbursement rates for applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, arguing that the reductions are unconstitutional and discriminatory. A Wake County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction Nov. 10, 2025, blocking the funding cuts while the lawsuit continues. A week earlier, the McGuireWoods team won a temporary restraining order pausing the reductions until the court heard arguments on the firm’s request for a preliminary injunction.
The McGuireWoods team includes partners Michael F. Easley Jr., Mark Anderson, Jonathan Y. Ellis and Ryan Park; and associates H. Brent McKnight, Jr. and Hannah K. Caison.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services cut Medicaid reimbursement rates effective Oct. 1, 2025, because of a state budget impasse. The reduction for ABA therapy is discriminatory because it targets children with a disability, the McGuireWoods team argues in the lawsuit.
“Our case argues that state budget challenges are no grounds to deny children with autism the legal right to services. Every disabled child has the right to live, learn and grow to their full potential in their community, not in an institution,” Easley told Spectrum News.