Jonathan Bush’s Background and Campaign Controversies
Jonathan Bush, a Republican candidate for governor in Maine, is seeking support from former President Donald Trump ahead of the June 9 primary. An investigation has revealed that he previously ran a network of birthing clinics aimed at immigrant women in San Diego County.
Reflecting on his experiences, Bush noted, “We were at the largest obstetrics clinic in San Diego County, primarily catering to Medi-Cal clients and immigrant workers. We even used Spanish-language ads on local television.” This was part of his time with Athena Women’s Health, a venture he discussed in a 2014 book he co-wrote, titled Where Does It Hurt?
At its height, Athena Health delivered around 3,000 babies annually, with Bush admitting a figure closer to 3,300 when considering monthly occupancy rates. He mentioned, “Many low-income families, who struggled to access Medicaid, often had to pay in cash.”
Recent comments from Bush have raised concerns regarding his involvement with immigration. Critics speculate whether he aided women who might not be U.S. citizens in gaining citizenship for their children through birthright provisions. When confronted by Fox News Digital about Athena’s immigration practices, his campaign asserted that Athena Health never provided maternity services, arguing it was illegal for them to do so.
In response to attacks from his opponent, Bobby Charles, Bush emphasized his record of creating jobs in Maine, while labeling Charles a lobbyist who had misrepresented his military background. Bush contended, “Athena Health offered support to 116,000 American physicians but never provided any medical services.” He reaffirmed his stance against illegal immigration, expressing his support for deportation policies.
While Bush claimed Athena Health did not operate maternity clinics, records indicate that the venture did indeed run such facilities for a brief period. Referring to the initial successes, he recounted, “Our new company started with 12 clinics across the region, delivering 2,000 births annually with an all-Latino midwife staff.”
Despite not being able to specify how many of his patients were immigrants, his comments suggest that this demographic played a substantial role in his business.
“It became a running joke: ‘All immigrants, all the time,’ but the reality was that we weren’t as successful as we had hoped. We were losing money,” he revealed in his book. Many of his clients were low-income individuals who often paid out-of-pocket.
Bush, known for his health care entrepreneurship, notably co-founded Athena Health, which focuses on cloud-based services for medical practices. He has highlighted this experience while campaigning, saying, “My career has revolved around challenging norms and creating jobs.”
As he moves forward in his gubernatorial bid, Bush has outlined plans to enhance Maine’s business appeal through tax incentives and audits. Although he has distanced himself from some radical elements within the Republican Party, he acknowledged the value of Trump’s endorsement, recognizing Maine’s mixed political landscape.
His main rival, Bobby Charles, has critiqued Bush’s past business practices, suggesting they contradict his current campaign messaging. Charles stated, “I’m not surprised if Mr. Bush promoted illegal immigration. I represent pro-Trump values focused on removing illegal residents from our state.”
Across the nation, undocumented immigrants often struggle to access insurance, contributing to a reliance on services that offer lower costs. Bush has acknowledged that Athena’s acceptance of such clients led to the company facing challenges.
In his reflections, he noted, “Initially, our popularity hurt us; most remaining clients became impoverished, often relying on Medicaid or cash payments.” He concluded, “I likely won’t discuss my challenges and failures.” Maine’s gubernatorial primary is set for June 9.
