Gingrich's Ideas Benefit Contributors (AP)

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Gingrich's Ideas Benefit Contributors

By LIBBY QUAID
The Associated Press
Sunday, June 10, 2007; 12:24 PM

WASHINGTON -- Potential GOP presidential candidate Newt
Gingrich has promoted public policy positions that closely
track the financial interests of companies that underwrite
a think tank he founded.

The Center for Health Transformation is part of an elaborate
consulting and communications empire Gingrich has built since
he left Congress under a political cloud in January 1999.
It gives the former House Speaker and Georgia Republican a
far-reaching platform for his views, which he airs on
television and radio, in paid speeches and in dozens of
opinion columns in major newspapers.

Among his ideas is a health system that lets consumers, not
health maintenance organizations, choose the best doctors,
medical treatments and hospitals. Such a goal would be
accomplished with health savings accounts, which are sought
by companies that fund Gingrich's think tank. The accounts
would encourage people to shop for cheaper care and forgo
treatments they do not need.

-snip-

Rarely does Gingrich acknowledge his opinions would benefit
the drug makers, insurers and others who each pay the center
up to $200,000 annually.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/10/AR2007061000484.html