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New Wrinkle: RNC Insurance Plan Covers Abortion
November 12, 2009 6:52 PM
ABC News’ Teddy Davis Reports:
There is a new wrinkle in the abortion debate: the Republican National Committee confirms that its insurance plan covers elective abortion – a procedure condemned in the party’s platform as an assault on innocent human life.
The RNC’s policy, which was first reported Thursday evening by Politico, was put in place in 1991.
The RNC tells ABC News that the party is planning to review the abortion coverage contained in its Cigna policy but has not yet decided what to do about it.
The RNC’s abortion coverage is in the news because 176 House Republicans joined 64 Democrats on Saturday night in voting for an amendment by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., which prohibits federal funds from being used to buy health insurance plans that cover elective abortion.
RNC Chairman Michael Steele heralded passage of the Stupak amendment over the weekend while simultaneously telling voters not to get too excited about it because he was confident that liberal Democrats would strip the tight restrictions from any health-care bill which ultimately reaches President Obama’s desk.
In a Monday interview with ABC’s Jake Tapper, President Obama suggested that he was not comfortable with the tight abortion restrictions inserted into the House version of health-care legislation, saying that “there needs to be some more work before we get to the point where we’re not changing the status quo” on abortion.
He simultaneously suggested that he wants to preserve the existing policy of not using federal funds to pay for abortions directly.
Cigna offers its customers the opportunity to opt out of abortion coverage but the RNC chose not to opt out.
UPDATE:
Ken McKay, the chief of staff of the Republican National Committee, prepared a memo Thursday evening to all 168 members of the RNC informing them that party chairman Michael Steele has called for an immediate review of the elective abortion coverage contained in the RNC's health insurance policy by the RNC's 27-member executive committee.
"I can assure you that the Chairman takes this issue very seriously," writes McKay.
Read the full story HERE.
November 12, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (9)
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RNC=HYPOCRISY
Posted by: Sandy | Nov 12, 2009 7:12:00 PM
Well isn't that a can of worms. Someone has some explaining to do.
This stuff is just comical.
Posted by: wow | Nov 12, 2009 8:30:21 PM
Demonstrators from Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas protest across the street from Sidwell Friends; students hold a counter-protest. (Carol Guzy/the Washington Post)
...On one side of the street across from the school we have this kansas-?Christian woman??? holding a sign that says "god hates you" and a little boy maybe 7 holding a sign next to her."the world is about to end"...across the street at the sidwell school of friends(quakers)students are lined up holding a banner that says "God is in all of us" Who exemplifies Christian values??? the haters???? or the children at sidwells? I'd say its gods children at sidwells...and the devils discipales from Kansas....that was a learning momment for all of us-remember what god said about false prophets???putting lieing words into gods mouth...not a good idea...vengence is mine saith the lord....meaning..only God shall be allowed to judge
Posted by: cowgirl | Nov 12, 2009 10:56:08 PM
not only are republicans supporting government abortions, but now they are trying to figure out how to get gun control back...the right wing is starting to make them nervous too.
Posted by: cowgirl | Nov 12, 2009 10:59:47 PM
CAN WE ALL SAY HYPOCRITES!
Posted by: gl | Nov 13, 2009 1:18:46 AM
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."
Posted by: Sandy | Nov 13, 2009 1:38:37 AM
Hey Sandy...... tell Steele it's not settled. It's too little too late!
Posted by: Jan | Nov 13, 2009 7:51:33 AM
Not allowing early term abortion will only cause more problems with unwed mothers and taxpayers having to support them and their numerous children because they are not cognizant enough to use birth control. If the Christian group in American allowed birth control to be taught in the schools, there would not be as much need for abortions.
Posted by: Jennifer D. | Nov 13, 2009 6:44:11 PM
All of a sudden the media says the Republicans have a health care plan.
Posted by: BigSky | Nov 14, 2009 5:47:54 AM
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