Bill Smith

Lutheran Social Services Behavioral Health works with individuals, couples and families across the state through in-person or telehealth sessions to improve well-being and provide the tools needed to navigate challenges.

“For many of the children and families that we serve, Medicaid is their only pathway to mental health care access through intervention through services. It improves quality of life, ensures appropriate level of care, keeps families intact, and reduces long term care costs. It's also important to realize that mental health services impact the broad community — not just those individuals receiving the services. Without services, there's often an increase in reliance on emergency room visits, more frequent interactions with law enforcement, and challenges at workplaces and schools. Reducing Medicaid funding for mental health services will increase straining and cost on the community. It is essential that we protect and strengthen Medicaid to maintain access to vital services.

“In the past year alone, LSS Behavioral Health Services have cared for more than 3,600 individuals including children, families and veterans to deliver 19,000 in-person therapy sessions and 7,400 virtual sessions. We've served over 850 veterans across the state and notably, through behavioral health services, over 60% of those served are on Medicaid.”