Republican National Committee's health insurance plan covers abortions

WASHINGTON -- The Republican National Committee's health insurance plan covers elective abortions for its employees -- an option Republicans strongly oppose including in the health care overhaul.

An RNC spokeswoman says chairman Michael Steele has asked that the provision be stripped from the group's insurance. In a statement, Steele says he doesn't know why the policy existed in the past, but it won't exist under his term.

The spokeswoman says the policy has been in place since 1991.

The vast majority of House Republicans voted for an amendment to the health care overhaul bill imposing restrictions on coverage for abortions.

Politico.com reports that two sales agents for the RNC's insurer, Cigna, said the organization didn't choose to opt out of abortion coverage when given the opportunity.

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