Bachmann's husband got $137,000 in Medicaid funds

[cal04]

Source: MSNBC

By Michael Isikoff
Presidential candidate has often blasted growing welfare programs

While Rep. Michelle Bachmann, R-Minn., has forcefully denounced the Medicaid program for swelling the "welfare rolls," the mental health clinic run by her husband has been collecting annual Medicaid payments totaling over $137,000 for the treatment of patients since 2005, according to new figures obtained by NBC News.

The previously unreported payments are on top of the $24,000 in federal and state funds that Bachmann & Associates, the clinic founded by Marcus Bachmann, a clinical therapist, received in recent years under a state grant to train its employees, state records show. The figures were provided to NBC News in response to a Freedom of Information request.

The clinic, based in Lake Elmo, Minn., describes itself on its website as offering "quality Christian counseling" for a large number of mental health problems ranging from "anger management" to addictions and eating disorders.

The $161,000 in payments from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to her husband's clinic appear to contradict some of Michelle Bachmann's public accounts this week when she was first asked about the extent to which her family has benefited from government aid. Contacted this afternoon, Alice Stewart, a spokeswoman for Bachmann, said the congresswoman was doing campaign events and was not immediately available for comment.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43570552/ns/politics-decision_2012/

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http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/28/6968201-bachmanns-husband-got-137000-in-medicaid-funds?chromedomain=firstread
Smigielski added that these were not the only government funds that Bachmann & Associates has received. The clinic also participates in managed-care plans that are reimbursed under a separate state-funded Minnesota Health Care program. But the state does not have any records of payment information to the individual clinics that participate. (During her Fox News appearance, Bachmann was not asked about Medicaid payments, and she made no mention of them.)

[Zenlitened]

1. Another holy hypocrite heard from. Nothing about her surprises me anymore. - n/t

[Bozita]

2. Does MN have any kind of licensing standards for counselors?

Check out the credentials of the one's employed by the Bachmanns:
http://www.bachmanncounseling.com/meet-our-counselors/

Argosy U? Regent U? Some of them don't even bother to name the places that granted them degrees/certification.

[Angry Dragon]

3. I do not see what the problem is.........

They are all good christians.........they say so themselves
Have to be a christian to work there and according to Marcus himself
God is the ultimate counselor ........

[Journeyman]

4. I wonder if they've shut their website down. I can't get through to it. . .

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. The cached page does not show, either.

[Bozita]

8. I've still got the page up. Here's a sample or two ...

NILD Educational Therapist, Level III
Education: MA – Christian Ministry, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA, Educational Therapy Level III, National Institute of Learning Development, Norfolk, VA, Development, Norfolk, VA
Years of experience: 7

Specializing in: Educational Therapy, Testing and Assessment, Christian Ministry.

Works with ages 6 and older.

Personal Mission Statement: I want to provide Christ-centered Educational Therapy in a caring, professional way that addresses the underlying causes of learning disabilities. I want to further assist with recognition of emotional hindrances to academic and personal achievement. My heart is for the whole child, the whole individual, not just his/her academia. I want to offer a future and a hope for those who are struggling. (Jeremiah 29:11)



Another. This guy won't even tell us where he "earned" his degree:


Licensed Psychologist (LP)
Education: Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D)
Years of experience:20 +

Specializing in: Anxiety (including trauma), Depression, Marriage/Relational Counseling, Family Counseling, and Spiritual Issues.

Works with ages 15 and older

Personal Mission Statement: As a Christian Psychologist, my role is to come alongside and partner with clients through a journey of healing and renewed directions in life. My style involves an integration of warmth and compassion with a strong emphasis on personal responsibility and follow through. My Christian faith lies at the center of the work I do, yet I certainly do not force beliefs or values on clients.



Another. Check out his Top Specialties:


Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Education: MA – Argosy University
Years of experience: 6
Works with ages 4 and over

Specializing in: Counseling for Children, Adolescents, and Adults. Works with Individuals, Couples, Parents, and Families, Dealing with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Men’s Issues, Career Counseling, Work Issues, Spiritual Issues, Anger Management and Parenting .

Personal Mission Statement: I believe my calling is to facilitate an environment of hope and healing through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Second Corinthians 1:4 says: The Lord comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

5 Top Specialties:
1) Men’s issues
2) Family Therapy
3) Marital Therapy
4) Children & Adolescents
5) Parenting.

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. Very spooky and off putting, to be sure.

Most of the "credentials" are nothing more than words strung together.

Unfortunately, most people seeking help don't know, or know how to
check to make sure their therapist is legitimate and/or has a respectable education.

[Bozita]

13. It's back up now.

[glinda]

5. Money to train pray away the gay.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. I wanna ask her how much a month she got for those 23 females she calls "foster kids"

when, in fact, her HOME was ( is?) a state licensed "treatment center".
so says Wiki.

[Enrique]

9. is there any government program Bachmann hasn't taken advantage of?

she must spend all her time filling out forms to beg the federal government for money.

[Anakin Skywalker]

10. HYPOCRITES! HYPOCRITES! Please spread this news story. Thank you!

[defendandprotect]

11. kr

[mahatmakanejeeves]

12. "... the state does not have any records of payment information...."

Not anywhere?

[indepat]

15. Just another dissembling and hypocritical pub sucking in a feeding frenzy at the public teat

:patriot:

[ileus]

16. 2 choices....turn away medicaid patients or charge them.

This is a silly assed story if there ever was one....Are they not supposed to charge the patients? or are they to turn away the patients? It's nothing to do with politics and everything to do with patient care. Or they could provide the service for free, which not many health care companies do.

[hughee99]

17. Exactly!

It would be one thing if Medicare were paying for her husband's medical bills, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Her husband provides a service, which he charges for, and Medicare was set up to help pay for the service he provides (arguments about his quality of service, aside). If her husband were scamming Medicare for patients he didn't see, that would be another matter, but that isn't being alleged here. Is he SUPPOSED to turn away Medicare patients to be consistent, or is he supposed to treat them for free?

[sarcasmo]

18. In order to be a Republican you must also be a hypocrite.