RNC health insurance covers abortions

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The health insurance plan available to staffers of the U.S. Republican National Committee covers elective abortions, records show.

A spokeswoman for the committee and other officials said Thursday the policy would be changed, Politico reported. Gail Gitcho said the current policy, purchased from Cigna, has been in effect since 1991.

The Republican platform calls most abortions "a fundamental assault on human life." A majority of House Republicans voted for the Stupak amendment to the health-care bill that bars the use of federal funds for abortion.

The RNC reported to the Federal Election Commission that Cigna is its health insurance carrier and two sales agents said the committee did not exercise the opt out for abortion the company offers, Politico said.

A spokeswoman for the National Republican Campaign Committee said the group's insurance only covers abortions if a woman's life is at risk.