This should play well with their constituents. . . RNC insurance plan covers abortion Jonathan Allen, Meredith Shiner Jonathan Allen, Meredith Shiner Thu Nov 12, 5:12 pm ET The Republican National Committee’s health insurance plan covers elective abortion – a procedure the party’s own platform calls “a fundamental assault on innocent human life.” Federal Election Commission Records show the RNC purchases its insurance from Cigna. Two sales agents for the company said that the RNC’s policy covers elective abortion. Informed of the coverage, RNC spokeswoman Gail Gitcho told POLITICO 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 Wednesday 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 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 has used the abortion coverage, but Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards said it’s “no surprise” that the RNC is 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. link
Whoops..... Given that it's a party platform, it is a pretty big oversight that such a disparity exists. However, since it is a legacy plan that is managed by a third party (Cigna) I tend to give the benefit of a doubt that it is indeed an oversight. Show me the evidence that current RNC members were fighting and pushing FOR their plan to extend that coverage, and I'd support raking them over the coals for it. The implication of the article's Headline, given the stories in the news, is that the RNC's proposal for healthcare reform contains those clauses. I had to read a few paragraphs in before it becomes clear that this is a legacy health benefit plan that is provided by Cigna and extended to RNC members. Still an issue that should be addressed.
Doesn't it only matter THAT the RNC has their carrier paying for abortions? Who cares why or how it came about? I'm sure there will be plenty more excuses made for the RNCs insurance plan covering elective abortions, Now I think it's up to the Republicans to prove there has been no use of that part of the plan in the last 18 years.
Politicians study what they are signing kind of like how my dog looks over her food before eating it. They "miss" these little details and cause big problems.
More proof that the whole lot (Dems and Repubs) needs to be ousted and a fresh crop put in its place...
if the Republicans "miss" a little detail like one of the cornerstones of their political ideology, they are in worse shape than i thought. that's what i've been saying for a while now. political parties don't represent the people of the U.S., they only represent themselves.
You know how we could do this? Eliminate the lobbyist, I bet near half would resign because there would be no point to being a politician, as it would be just another government job then, instead of the cash cow it is now, and the other half would get ousted because without them being fronted by someone they wouldn't have a wing or a prayer to getting elected.
one question i have is, is there a government mandate that requires private insurance companies to cover abortions? if so then there is nothing the republicans can do about that issue, unless they can get power back in both houses of congress, and force the president to sign a law eliminating that mandate. if you look at your health insurance policies, i think you will find a lot of things that are covered that you will never use, yet you still pay for because of state and federal mandates.
No there is not. Most private insurers do offer coverage for abortion. There are, however, several states where it is restricted. This may be the first time ever, but I agree with you. If not eliminated, they should at least be regulated far more strictly.
