Federal Election Commission Records show the RNC purchases its insurance from Cigna, and two sales agents for the company said that the RNC’s policy covers elective abortion.

According to Politico, "As of Thursday, the RNC’s plan covers 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 told POLITICO earlier Thursday that the policy pre-dates the tenure of current RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

The RNC is trying to assure their supporters that they are going to discontinue recieving the elective abortion as an option on their health insurance with Cigna. They are claiming they did not know of that when they first purchased it in 1991.

“The current policy has been in effect since 1991, and we are taking steps to address the issue,” Gitcho said.

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.

“The policy does not cover abortions unless the life of the mother is in danger,” the NRCC spokeswoman said.

It's always interesting when people are caught. Sorry RNC you got Caught, bottom line!

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.

Re-Read the last line to yourself...The RNC DID NOT CHOOSE TO OPT OUT?

I thought they did not support abortions under the healthcare...What are your thoughts?

But rank-and-file Republicans said Thursday before the change was announced 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.”

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. “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.”

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.

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My thoughts...

It's funny how the RNC and Republicans put up a big fuss about the Stupak Amendment, when they were getting elective abortion coverage with their health insurance. They had a chance to opt out of it, but they said no! What does that say?

It says that they are full of it!