From Politico: RNC insurance plan covers abortion

[Perky]

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.

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.

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.



http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29456.html

[wryter2000]

1. LOL

And, by leaving health insurance intact as it is now, their "reform" package also provides for abortions.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Engineer4Obama]

2. I'd say we should make this go viral

but the response would probably be the removal of this coverage from the plans not a highlight of the hypocrisy of the republicans.

[jenmito]

3. We need to get this info. to the teabaggers during the 50 up-coming teabag rallies!

And I hope they question their Repub. Congressmen about this "worrisome" development! :rofl:

[vaberella]

4. Couldn't agree more. n/t

[powergirl]

5. I am so surprised - wow - I thought the Family Values party

was against abortion. I guess if you are a white guy in a suit - sometimes exceptions need to be made for these "situations." I'm sure the RNC will try to blame it Obama - buuuuuuuuuut they've had this policy since 1991 Aaaaaaaaand Cigna offered to let them opt out of the abortion coverage and, gasp!, they chose not to.

[jenmito]

6. Both CNN and MSNBC covered this story tonight! n/t

[8 track mind]

7. Whoopsie-doodles! LOL. n/t

[Hippo_Tron]

8. By abortion is wrong, they mean abortion is wrong except when we do it

[Clio the Leo]

9. Ok, now that makes sense....

.... when I saw that headline earlier on Politco, I took it to mean the GOP's health care PLAN ... as in BILL ... as in some mysterious bill they were going to offer as an amendment to the Senate bill.

I thought it was some kind of strategy to draw liberal votes away from a bill that would contain Stupak. I was like? HUH!?

[TheKentuckian]

10. My 1st thought too. I was like that piece of crap doesn't cover anything but less people

and maybe a few billions of walking around money for big insurance tycoons.