POLITICO has reported that the Republican National Committee had a health care plan that included coverage for abortion. This was played in the media that the RNC was just like everyone else — duplicitous — due to its public stand against abortion, while providing coverage for its own employees.
The difference is that there is NO record of anyone ever using the coverage provided by the RNC for an abortion. The policy had been in place since 1991 and had not been audited for specific coverage this decade. Additionally, and of even more significance, as soon as Chairman Michael Steele learned of the provision included in the policy, he immediately issued orders for the RNC to opt out of that specific coverage.
“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 instructed the committee’s director of administration to opt out of coverage for elective abortion in the policy it uses from Cigna.
Remember, all of this has happened in less than one business day — proving it is possible for a national organization to implement policy changes with haste when the issue is as important as protecting life.
Thank you, Michael Steele, for your prompt action to solve this problem of perception. We are equally proud that the RNC has hired the type of personnel over the last two decades who never sought to implement this coverage.
November 14, 2009 at 11:06 am
This was a non-story for a slow news day. It would have shocked me if it tuned out that any RNC employees accessed the insurance’s abortion provisions.
November 14, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Great minds obviously think alike, Maggie. My thoughts exactly.
When the press can find a way, legitimate or not, to deprecate Republicans, they are only too happy to run with it. Michael Steele handled this perfectly.
November 15, 2009 at 7:44 am
HOLD THE HOOPLA! The RNC took the Republican Platform off of the RNC web site, GOP.com!
We have nothing to celebrate here. No, I’m not impressed one little bit with Michael RINO Steele. Why are they ashamed of the duly voted on and passed Republican Platform? Our stand against the illegal invasion and amnesty? Our stand for defense of innocent life?
Steele is only too happy to bow to McStain’s stated intent to “remake the Party” so we appeal to Democrats too. And this is when independent registrations are skyrocketiing. Why? Because “there is no difference between the Parties.” Steele is hurting us a lot more than he is helping us!
November 15, 2009 at 8:52 am
there is NO record of anyone ever using the coverage provided by the RNC for an abortion.
I work for the RNC. My kid gets pregnant. Hmmmm.
Your ignorance is staggering.
November 15, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Lori is sooo right – there is NO difference between the Parties. They play against each other in public then retreat to the backroom to make their deals. As for Michael Steele – he’s a joke. We need to RE-ELECT NO ONE. That goes for both PARTIES. Our legislative branch needs to get the message that we will not tolerate their BS and self-enriching decisions any longer. 99.9% of them seem to have forgotten who their work for. Let’s remind them.