Posted on 11/13/2009 2:57:10 AM PST by markomalley
The Republican National Committee will no longer offer employees an insurance plan that covers abortion after POLITICO reported Thursday that the anti-abortion RNC's policy has covered the procedure since 1991.
"Money from our loyal donors should not be used for this purpose," Chairman Michael Steele said in a statement. "I don't know why this policy existed in the past, but it will not exist under my administration. Consider this issue settled."
Steele has told the committee's director of administration to opt out of coverage for elective abortion in the policy it uses from Cigna.
Federal Election Commission Records show the RNC purchases its insurance from Cigna, and two sales agents for the company said that the RNC’s policy covers elective abortion.
As of Thursday, the RNC’s plan covers elective abortion – a procedure the party’s own platform calls “a fundamental assault on innocent human life.”
Informed of the coverage, RNC spokeswoman Gail Gitcho told POLITICO earlier Thursday that the policy pre-dates the tenure of current RNC Chairman Michael Steele.
“The current policy has been in effect since 1991, and we are taking steps to address the issue,” Gitcho said.
The RNC moved quickly Thursday to assuage any concerns its members might have.
In a letter obtained by POLITICO, RNC Chief of Staff Ken McKay writes to the 168 committeemen and committeewomen across the country that Steele "takes this issue very seriously."
He writes that the RNC has been evaluating its health insurance policy and will continue to do so.
Leading up to passage of the House health care reform bill last week, 176 House Republicans joined 64 Democrats in voting for the so-called Stupak amendment, a measure that prohibits federal funds from being used to buy health insurance that covers elective abortions.
A spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee – the campaign arm for the House Republicans – said it does not include coverage for elective abortions in its employee insurance policy.
“The policy does not cover abortions unless the life of the mother is in danger,” the NRCC spokeswoman said.
According to several Cigna employees, the insurer offers its customers the opportunity to opt out of abortion coverage – and the RNC did not choose to opt out.
But rank-and-file Republicans said Thursday before the change was announced that the policy should – and would – be changed.
“We were not aware of this, obviously, and this will, of course, be fixed,” said James Bopp Jr., a Republican National Committeeman from Indiana. “I think Chairman Steele will see to it that that’s the case.”
Rep. Jack Kingston, a Georgia conservative, said “they need to drop that clause” from the policy or find a new one.
“From a philosophical standpoint, it’s inconsistent,” Kingston said. “It makes me think someone isn’t scrutinizing the purchases.”
Cigna spokesman Chris Curran declined to discuss the specifics of the RNC’s plan, saying it’s against company policy to reveal even the identities of its insured. But he said that Cigna’s products “are designed to meet the requirements of our individual employer clients. Employer clients are informed of the services covered and it is their choice to decide which benefits meet their needs.”
There is no indication that any RNC employee used the abortion coverage, but Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards said it’s “no surprise” that the RNC had been offering it.
“It’s an employer that wants to provide standard health benefits for its employees,” she said. “That’s why the Stupak amendment goes too far in taking away benefits that women have today, and that’s why women won’t allow the Stupak amendment to become law.”
The Stupak amendment, named for sponsor Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), was adopted by the House before it passed the health care bill on Saturday night. It prohibits a government-backed health care plan from offering abortion services and bans the use of federal subsidies for individuals to buy into health care plans that provide abortion coverage.
Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona was the only House Republican who did not vote in favor of the amendment. He voted “present.”
While 64 Democrats voted for the amendment, the majority did not – and the Democratic Party’s 2008 platform says the party “unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay.” The Democratic National Committee provides abortion coverage to its employees, the committee said.
What a Bunch of Dolts
They aren’t dolts, they just aren’t any different then their Democratic brothers and sisters.
Is this for real?
ping
And people wonder why I think the Democrats will win big in 2010.
Well, this is interesting. Because now we have a secular entity (the GOP) which is honoring the Creator in their health insurance coverage vs. entire church denominations like Presbyterian - USA and the ELCA (liberal Lutherans) which provide abortions for their churchworkers via their health insurance plan.
(The ELCA does it thru Aetna -- and it's aimed at pre-borns almost up to 20 weeks' gestation)
Go figure. Here we have official church bodies who apparently aren't exactly wild about biological church growth and want to slowly & literally kill off their members pew by pew. (I think the ELCA found a faster way to dump people from their pews via their convention this past summer)
Think? He'd better if the Republicans ever want to win another election.
"I saw the infant trying to get away, and struggling to save it's life."
One of few times Steele has done the right thing since becoming chairman that I know of. I applaud him.
Likewise. It's surprising that he didn't remain silent for a few days, then go on CNN and make a lame joke or give a half-assed justification, and then reverse himself the next working day.
I’m sorry but Steele doesnt win any points with me for fixing this. If they didnt know, they damn well should have known that this language existed in there health care. Ignorance is no excuse, and all this looks like is CYA maneuver. These guys are no different than the demonrats. I might be impressed if they start returning people’s donations when they are demanded to be returned. This is a huge problem for a party already infested with problems.
ping
Thanks for the ping. I’m glad and impressed that this was taken care of so quickly. I suspect it was an item planted to embarrass the RNC during the healthcare debate.
DING-DING-DING!!! WE HAVE A WINNER!!!
They've had abortion coverage since 1991?
Oh, forgive me...these are the elites...they're special.
I’m sure the media will find some RINO to complain about Steele’s move to end abortion coverage.
Good news.
Look up John Shadegg’s site... it does allow you to post a message on his contact page without being from Arizona.
It was mighty big of him to vote “Present” on the Stupak amendment, so here’s what I told him.
“Mr. Shadegg,
I want to thank you for making such a bold statement on the Stupak amendment. Voting “Present” really let the voters know where you stand.
In all seriousness, I think you’ve done a great service to your constituents and, in turn all Conservatives. I, for one will make sure I can get the word out who is and who is not standing for true Conservative values... and you, for one are not.”
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