2012

Gingrich Group Received Millions

By health-care industry.

Newtcare doesn't have the same ring to it. A think tank founded by Newt Gingrich was paid at least $37 million over eight years by health-care companies and industry groups for, among other things, what promotional material calls “access to Newt Gingrich” and “direct Newt interaction.” The think tank, called the Center for Health Action, recommended requiring “anyone who earns more than $50,000 a year must purchase health insurance or post a bond,” an insurance mandate similar to the one in President Obama's policy and now reviled by conservatives. Gingrich stepped down from the think tank earlier this year to run for president. Gingrich came under fire earlier this week for earning as much as $1.8 million in consulting fees from Freddie Mac.