Critics Question State Funds To Christian Counseling Clinic Owned By Member of Congress

The Minnesota Independent last week reported that a Christian counseling agency owned by U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) and her husband Dr. Marcus Bachmann has received over $27,000 in state funds since 2007. The state funds are paid to the clinic to treat low-income Minnesotans for mental health and chemical dependency problems. All of the clinic's counsellors identify as Christians, and its drug and alcohol counselor is an ordained minister, as is at least one of its other counsellors. Critics, including Americans United, question whether the clinic-- which touts the religious nature of its counselling (Bachmann & Associates website)-- is keeping its religious activity separate from the social services funded by state money.