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60 Plus Association

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The 60 Plus Association is an American 501(c)(4) organization founded in 1992 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. Its stated purpose is to promote solutions to seniors' issues that are grounded in free markets, less government, and less taxes.[1] The organizations is pro-Republican Party.[2] The organization is known for its advocacy for the privatization of Social Security and senior citizen health programs, as well as its opposition to the estate tax.[3] The organization is funded by Charles and David Koch (of Koch Industries).[3]

Political advocacy

The organization is known for its advocacy for the privatization of Social Security and senior citizen health programs, as well as its opposition to the estate tax.[3][4] The organization bills itself as a conservative alternative to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).[5] In the 2012 election, the organization ran a $3.5 million ad campaign which falsely claimed that President Obama had proposed rationing and denial of certain Medicare treatments, and that he would cut $500 billion from Medicare.[6]

Funding

In 2002, The Washington Post reported that 60 Plus received an unrestricted educational grant (which can be used as most needed) from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, also known as PhRMA.[7] Ken Johnson, senior vice president and spokesman for PhRMA said that as of 2009 the association had not provided any funding to 60 Plus for at least five years.[8] In 2009, Carl Forti, a political consultant and spokesman for 60 Plus said, "I don't believe PhRMA has ever given 60 Plus money." He added that 60 Plus is funded by donations from its 5.5 million members.

60 Plus also earns income from sponsoring life insurance and health screening for its members.[9]

In 2014, documents left behind by an attendee at an exclusive "donor seminar" put on by Charles and David Koch (of Koch Industries) revealed that the billionaire brothers count the 60 Plus Association as a part of their political network.[10][11][12]

In 2014, as a sign of the diversity within Koch-funded projects, the Freedom Partners supported 60 Plus Association ran TV ads that the Koch brothers did not agree with.[13]

Staff

60 Plus is led by its Chairman James L Martin, a 77-year-old veteran of the US Marines. Martin has previously led several conservative advocacy groups, and also was chief of staff for six years for former Republican congressman and senator, the late Edward Gurney of Florida.[1] Martin also served as a member of President George W. Bush's health and human services transition team.[14] In 2010, Amy Noone Frederick (b. 1978) was named president of the 60 Plus Association. Frederick, wife of former Virginia legislator Jeff Frederick, is a former lobbyist and political consultant. For eight years she served as a senior adviser to Virginia legislative candidates. Frederick graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with a degree in government.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b About 60 Plus
  2. ^ Wallsten, Peter (2011-04-22). "Republicans facing tough questions over Medicare overhaul in budget plan". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  3. ^ a b c Skocpol, Theda; Hertel-Fernandez, Alexander (2016). "The Koch Network and Republican Party Extremism". Perspectives on Politics. 14 (3): 681–699. doi:10.1017/S1537592716001122. ISSN 1537-5927.
  4. ^ "Conservatives dominate campaign spending by interest groups". Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  5. ^ Brock, Fred. "SENIORITY; Social Security and the Ballot Box". Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  6. ^ Kessler, Glenn (2012-03-14). "More 'Mediscare' hooey, GOP version". Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  7. ^ "High Drug Prices Return as Issue That Stirs Voters," Washington Post, October 15, 2002, A8 (story offline).
  8. ^ National health care debate complicates Louisiana politics, by Jonathan Tilove, Nola.com, 16 November 2009
  9. ^ 60 Plus insurance website[dead link‍]
  10. ^ Inside the $400-million political network backed by the Kochs
  11. ^ A rare look inside the Koch brothers political empire
  12. ^ Koch Organisation Flow Chart
  13. ^ Elliott, Philip (4 April 2014). "Koch brothers weren't consulted before seniors group criticized senators". www.csmonitor.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  14. ^ Health Law Journal, "The Bush Transition Team and the Health Care Industry"[permanent dead link‍], May 2001
  15. ^ Amy Noone Frederick, President

Further reading

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