Voice. Evidence. Action.

May 23, 2025

Our strength as a trusted, community-centered national network comes not just from our size and scale, but from the intersections of our work where message, evidence, and action meet. Last week was a vivid example of that alignment as we launched the Here We Stand campaign, published a new issue brief, “Innovating Care Through Community Partnerships,” and hosted a Results Network convening with 50 leaders from across the country.

Together, these initiatives tell a story of collaboration, innovation, and a united, faith-based voice leading with purpose.

Medicaid is a cornerstone of our work and a lifeline for the people we serve in more than 1,400 communities nationwide. As policymakers at both the state and federal levels continue to debate the program’s future, Here We Stand gives voice to our shared values. It boldly affirms our unwavering commitment to the millions who rely on Medicaid and reflects our unique perspective as a network that works across the full spectrum of Medicaid stakeholders. This is more than messaging—it’s a public declaration of who we are and what we stand for.

That voice is rooted in real, on-the-ground innovation. Our new issue brief highlights how Lutheran Services in America members are transforming care by forging partnerships between Medicaid Managed Care and community-based organizations, showing how integration of behavioral health and non-medical services and supports are improving outcomes for children and families and strengthening communities. A future brief and forthcoming blueprint will spotlight similar innovation across the network including in aging services and the Disability Network.

These ideas don’t just live on paper. They come to life through our learning communities. From the Rural Aging Action Networks to the Disability Network and, just last week, the Results Network convening.

These aren’t parallel tracks—they are deeply connected. The message shapes the narrative. The evidence builds credibility. The convenings fuel collaboration, innovation, and momentum.

Together, they show what’s possible when we speak with one voice, ground our work in truth, and lead with courage and community. This is how change happens. This is how we light the way—united, unwavering, and filled with purpose.

Alesia Frerichs is the President & CEO of Lutheran Services in America.

How a Robot is Advancing Memory Care for Older Adults

April 21, 2025

Older adults who experience the loss of cognitive functioning are often more susceptible to social isolation. Loneliness can take an enormous toll on one’s physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s a reality that pushes our network to focus on finding person-centered solutions that embrace new and innovative approaches to improve social engagement—and thus the quality of life—for older adults in memory care.

Through a continuing partnership with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation, Lutheran Services in America launched a pilot program with our member organization Lyngblomsten in Minnesota to explore how artificial intelligence-powered robots can meaningfully engage older adults with memory loss. This work is an example of how our network is catalyzing innovation and collaboration for impact—one of our core strategies to advance health and opportunity for all.

A Robot That Cares

Over the past year, two memory care campuses in Anoka and Ramsey Counties welcomed Temi, the newest team member at Lyngblomsten. Temi navigates independently, engages older adults individually, and interacts with residents based on each person’s interests, which are collected through family intake questionnaires. From playing a favorite card game to guiding gentle exercises or offering reminiscence therapy through music, Temi adapts to meet older adults where they are, literally and emotionally.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. One resident calls Temi her go-to partner for a daily game of solitaire (no more shuffling required!). Another resident uses Temi as a walking companion who plays favorite hymns along the way and helps her stay physically active while bringing joy in her daily routine. Moreover, staff and family caregivers report seeing improved moods and stronger daily engagement.

“The robot has been embraced by staff, residents and family caregivers as part of the Lyngblomsten team in promoting person-centered care,” said Jeff Heinecke, president and CEO of Lyngblomsten.

What We’ve Learned

Originally intended for use across independent and assisted living settings, the pilot shifted focus exclusively to memory care residents after early results showed the greatest impact amongst this group. The robot’s ability to deliver consistent, individualized engagement, especially for those who may struggle to advocate for themselves, has become a valuable complement to staff-led activities.

Group sessions with Temi showed promise, with one-on-one interactions proving to be even more meaningful. With those results in mind, Lyngblomsten is now expanding implementation into community-based memory care programs, offering this powerful tool to older adults and families living outside of campus settings—people who might not otherwise have access to this opportunity.

“Our partnership with the CTA Foundation is a powerful force for good, uniting technology and innovation to expand support for older adults and family caregivers across the country,” said Alesia Frerichs, president and CEO of Lutheran Services in America.

Leading Together

We’re constantly evaluating how we can continue to innovate to better support older adults communities with quality care for underserved households. This pilot program allows us to collaborate with forward-thinking partners like the CTA Foundation and leverage new technologies like Temi the robot. Together with our member organizations, our network is reinventing what it means to redefine care.

In our past six years of partnership with the CTA Foundation, we have brought investment and visibility to the following projects:

  • Virtual reality devices to provide shared immersive experiences for homebound older adults and caregivers at Evertrue
  • Google Glasses for virtual caregiver education of loved ones with dementia at Samaritas
  • Technology stations within affordable housing at Graceworks
  • iPads, tablets, and hotspots for older adult and caregiver connections at LSS Minnesota

Reach out to me to learn more about how we’re evaluating outcomes and what implementation could look like in your setting.

Ashley Washington is Senior Director of Aging Initiatives & Member Experience at Lutheran Services in America.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Announces Major Changes: What It Means for Our Network

April 1, 2025

What’s Happening?

On March 27, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an extensive restructuring, including a reduction in workforce of about 10,000 full-time employees and a consolidation of their 28 divisions into 15 new divisions, one of which will be a new Administration for a Healthy America, or AHA. Regional offices will be reduced from 10 to five.

We are actively working to understand the implications of these major changes.  Below is a summary of what we know to date. As we learn more specific details, we will update you, and please reach out to us with questions.

What is Changing?

The restructuring includes the following actions:

  • The creation of the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA): the new division will combine multiple agencies — the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) — into a single new entity.
  • The reorganization of the Administration for Community Living (ACL): critical programs that support older adults and people of all ages with disabilities will be integrated into other HHS agencies, including the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

At the same time, HHS is also “discontinuing” $12 billion in existing grants from SAMHSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that were being used for tracking infectious diseases, mental health services, addiction treatment and other urgent health issues, and which were originally allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically:

  • $1 billion from SAMHSA to states to address mental health and substance use disorder, which was to be spent by September.
  • The grants in question were authorized and appropriated by Congress, and their termination may lead to new lawsuits. Several states said they were exploring legal options.

What Do We Know About the Potential Impact of the Announcement?

  • The ACL serves as a hub across HHS and with other Departments to coordinate services and supports critical to disabled people and older adults, such as Long-term Services and Supports (LTSS) and affordable housing, facilitating federal, state and local cross-sector partnerships focused on efficient use of limited resources. As we learn more about these changes, we will continue to provide updates since we recognize the potential impacts to many network members.
  • SAMHSA, which is charged with advancing behavioral health and improving the lives of people with mental health needs and substance use disorder (SUD), will reportedly see a cut of upwards of 50% of its staff as it is consolidated into the new AHA. Network members who receive grant funding directly through SAMHSA may be impacted.
  • Among the cuts to agency staff will be 300 employees of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS.)

What Happens Next?

  • HHS is continuing to make updates on its more specific plans for the restructuring and how existing divisions, programs, and funding will be impacted.
  • We will be especially monitoring for more details about the nature of the changes to ACL, SAMHSA, and CMS, and what they mean for the federal funding landscape.

Much is unclear and unknown, but Lutheran Services in America is actively working to understand more about how these changes will impact our network and those we work with.  Please reach out with any questions to Sue Polis, Vice President of Government Relations & Advocacy, or Sarah Dobson, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy.

Lutheran Services in America Partners with WETA for Outreach for Caregiving Documentary

March 20, 2025

What’s Next on Medicaid Fight

March 12, 2025

With the budget reconciliation process currently moving forward in Congress, the risk of cuts to Medicaid looms large. Lawmakers are looking for significant funding reductions to offset the majority’s plans for permanently extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, with proposals that could drastically impact healthcare access for millions of people. The result would be reduced eligibility and enrollment in Medicaid for families, rural communities, older adults, and people with disabilities.

A Recap of What’s Happening

Key House and Senate committees are tasked with identifying substantial funding cuts based on differing House and Senate budget resolutions. The House budget reconciliation effort calls for one large budget package aimed at $4.5 trillion in cuts at the request of President Trump, while the Senate has opted for a two-phase approach to budget reconciliation. To move forward, the House bill essentially has to be adopted by the Senate. House Republicans are pushing the Senate to adopt their plan and Senate Republicans are working to find a path to the needed 51 votes. As this moves forward, significant cuts to Medicaid stay on the table.

Specifically, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, is looking for $880 billion in cuts to health-related programs. (See the recent nonpartisan CBO analysis of the House bill that identifies Medicaid as the path to cuts.)

Cuts to Medicaid can take many forms, including work reporting requirements, per capita caps, and restrictions on provider taxes that states use to fund their share of Medicaid.

What’s Next?

With all this in mind, it is important to meet with your members of Congress to ensure “No Cuts or Caps to Medicaid.” Here is what you can do:

  • Reach out to your members of Congress to educate them on the real-life impacts of Medicaid cuts by requesting a meeting or inviting your member(s) for a site visit to see the work of your organizations.
  • Since states share Medicaid funding responsibilities with the federal government, communicating with your governor’s office is also important. Congress is considering eliminating the use of provider taxes, which in most cases covers the state portion of the program – resulting in devastating cuts to Medicaid.
  • Use our Medicaid fact sheet to help guide your discussions and highlight the importance of the program.

Also, don’t miss our next Capitol Conversations webinar, Medicaid: What’s at Stake, on March 20 at 1 p.m. ET. We’ll hear from House Energy and Commerce Committee staff, including Leo Cuello from the McCourt School of Public Policy’s Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University, along with other important voices with insights and updates.

Sue Polis is Vice President of Public Relations and Government Affairs at Lutheran Services in America.

Interfaith Solidarity Statement on Refugees and Immigrants

March 7, 2025

Lutheran Services in America Expands Rural Aging Action Network into New Communities

March 4, 2025

Supporting
Our Neighbors,

TOGETHER.

Our shared Lutheran tradition of service to our neighbor is more vital than ever.

Join us as we work to ensure our network continues delivering essential services to all in need.