Audio: Gingrich pitched consulting clients to Florida lawmakers
Newt Gingrich specifically urged the Florida Legislature to consider projects initiated by clients of his Center for Health Transformation, an audio recording of the 2006 meeting shows.
The audio raises more questions about Gingrich's claims to have never engaged in lobbying. The 2006 health "summit" was noted in a New York Times story tonight. The Buzz tracked down the audio, which was archived on the Florida House website.
"We urge you look to look at a Travelocity model of buying drugs with real-time information, building with what you've already done with My Florida Rx," Gingrich told a packed audience in the Florida House chamber. "And we've worked with MedImpact to design a model that we think will take 40 percent out of the cost of buying drugs." (audio excerpt here)
Later, Gingrich said he would "commend" the lawmakers (and adds that he directly asked then-House Speaker Allan Bense) to consider a diabetes project another client, Novo Nordisk, and was doing with Georgia. (audio excerpt here)
Is Gingrich presenting ideas, or is he lobbying?
The complete audio of Gingrich's speech, which includes a glowing shout-out to speaker-in-waiting Marco Rubio, is here.
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