SANTA FE, N.M. — For weeks now, New Mexico has been in the midst of a sweeping criminal investigation into 15 of its largest mental health providers, suspected of defrauding Medicaid of $36 million over three years. Arizona companies have been hired to fill in, but many patients are struggling without regular treatment. The state behavioral health system is in turmoil, with the administration of Gov. Susana Martinez under sharp attack.

Laura Bruening’s 12-year-old son, Michael, who is autistic, has been without his therapist for two months, since funding was frozen at the Albuquerque provider where he worked. “I’m really concerned that we don’t have anybody to intervene if something happens with him at school,” she said, adding that her son had become noticeably more agitated.

State officials, under pressure from families like the Bruenings, said they had little choice but to take drastic action when the extent of the abuse accusations became evident.

“When we saw the totality of it all, it was extremely sobering,” said Diana McWilliams, chief executive of the state’s behavioral health system. “We have had to look at our entire system, and that’s what we’re doing. It’s scary, but it’s necessary.”