Because we are all legends in our own minds
And these are the people that the Blue Dogs are trying to appease?
Republican National Committee drops abortion coverage from insurance plan
By Meredith Shiner and Jonathan Allen
Politico
Updated: 11/12/2009 11:57:55 PM CST
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 to Politico. "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. Until Thursday, the RNC's plan had covered 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 said earlier Thursday that the policy pre-dates the tenure of 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 to assuage any concerns its members might have. In a letter obtained by Politico, RNC Chief of Staff Ken McKay wrote to the 168 committeemen and committeewomen across the country that Steele "takes this issue very seriously."
Leading up to passage of the House health care reform bill last week, 176 House Republicans joined 64 Democrats in voting for the
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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 had not chosen 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 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.
http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_13773216?source=rss
By Meredith Shiner and Jonathan Allen
Politico
Updated: 11/12/2009 11:57:55 PM CST
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 to Politico. "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. Until Thursday, the RNC's plan had covered 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 said earlier Thursday that the policy pre-dates the tenure of 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 to assuage any concerns its members might have. In a letter obtained by Politico, RNC Chief of Staff Ken McKay wrote to the 168 committeemen and committeewomen across the country that Steele "takes this issue very seriously."
Leading up to passage of the House health care reform bill last week, 176 House Republicans joined 64 Democrats in voting for the
Advertisement
Quantcast
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 had not chosen 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 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.
http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_13773216?source=rss
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Permalink Reply by Davetopper on -
Why are they in constant damage control mode?
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Sen. Carl Levin has a solution to the problem of how to finance our losing, futile war in Afghanistan – a war we are fighting to support what has now been officially deemed the second most corrupt government on earth:...
I think you've unknowingly stumbled upon one of their favorite tactics for pushing their political agenda.
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SNL skit. ;-)
This just in from Think Progress, for those that enjoy conspiracies.
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/21/coal-chamber-health/
Sad state of affairs.
– The American Lung Association reports that there are 24,000 premature deaths every year due to...
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