RNC health provider not only covers abortions, but death panels as well

[Kyle Curtis]

It appears that Cigna, who has long provided the RNC with their health insurance coverage, has not only been covering abortions, but end of life counseling- AKA 'death panels' whic hI guess are okay only when private companies tell Grandma to die- as well.

Oh my god, what a bunch of hypocritical fucktwits.  I truly can't imagine why anyone would would to identify themselves as a Republican.  I guess that's why a majority of the country doesn't.

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/14/rnc-health-grandma/

‘Death Panels’ Hypocrisy: RNC Health Insurance Provider Promotes End-Of-Life Counseling

Over the summer, one of the GOP’s loudest complaints against health care legislation was a provision offering senior citizens Medicare reimbursement for end-of-life counseling. Republicans claimed it would create so-called “death panels” or urge seniors citizens to die. RNC Chairman Michael Steele “endorsed this type of rhetoric, and on July 28, the RNC put out research document claiming that the government would “dictate” Americans’ “end-of-life care.”

But ThinkProgress has noticed that Cigna, the RNC’s health insurance provider, also urges beneficiaries to think about end-of-life services. Cigna’s website has a page called “Care at the End of Life,” which covers topics such as how to talk with “loved ones” about “end-of-life choices” and whether to stop life-prolonging treatment:

It’s unclear whether the RNC’s insurance plan covers these end-of-life consultations, and neither Cigna nor the RNC replied to inquiries from ThinkProgress. But nevertheless, the RNC’s insurance provider has posted information on its website advising beneficiaries about the complicated questions that accompany decisions at the end of someone’s life.

There is nothing objectionable about this planning, which has been endorsed by Democrats, Republicans like Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and the AARP. But this type of advice is exactly what the GOP fear-mongered about this summer. As FactCheck.org explained:

What the bill actually provides for is voluntary Medicare-funded end-of-life counseling. In other words, if seniors choose to make advance decisions about the type of care and treatments they wish to receive at the end of their lives, Medicare will pay for them to sit down with their doctor and discuss their preferences. There is no requirement to attend regular sessions, and there is absolutely no provision encouraging euthanasia.

Recently, the RNC has been urging lawmakers to support the anti-choice Stupak amendment, which would not only ban women on the federal exchange from using federal funds for abortion, but could bar employer-sponsored plans from offering the coverage. However, Politico reported this week that the RNC health care plan under Cigna has coverage for elective abortion services. Upon hearing the news, the RNC quickly opted-out of the abortion coverage, although its money is still indirectly subsidizing other women’s abortions.

If end-of-life counseling is so scary, will the RNC also call up Cigna and object? Or will it admit that there’s nothing wrong with these services and all the protests this summer were nothing more than political posturing?

On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 11:32 AM, Alex Romero <axm...@gmail.com> wrote:

So the High and Mighty "save the babies" fuck nuts (AKA GOP) were baby killers all along???? (sorry been away from the computer for a while, doing some charity work, maybe im late on this).... So if they were really so righteous the whole time, defending babies tooth and nail, why didn't they catch this in their own policies?!?!?!?...could it be because they are only talking the talk and not walking the walk??...seems to me it was just an excuse to keep their rich class where it is!...no they aren't the religious baby savers they claim to be!...period...unless someone is trying to tax them....then they start waving the baby flag.....this quote is just the best:

"The situation was first reported by Thursday by Politico, which cited two sales agents for Cigna who said that the RNC's policy covered elective abortion and that the RNC didn't opt out of abortion coverage when given the opportunity."

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/11/gop_jettisons_a.html

GOP jettisons abortion coverage from own insurance

E-mail|Link|Comments (64) Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor November 13, 2009 09:45 AM

The GOP is doing its darndest to quickly move on from an embarrassing revelation -- that even as congressional Republicans insist that the health care overhaul does not cover abortions, the national party's own health plan covers elective procedures.

Late Thursday night, the Republican National Committee acknowledged that its health plan, as far back as 1991, included some coverage for elective abortion. Chairman Michael Steele instructed the RNC's director of administration to opt out of any coverage for elective abortion services in its health insurance policy, the party said.

"Money from our loyal donors should not be used for this purpose. I don't know why this policy existed in the past, but it will not exist under my administration. Consider this issue settled," Steele said in a statement.

The situation was first reported by Thursday by Politico, which cited two sales agents for Cigna who said that the RNC's policy covered elective abortion and that the RNC didn't opt out of abortion coverage when given the opportunity.

Abortion has emerged as a key issue in the health care debate after the bill approved by the House last weekend included a provision that would ban a new government-run public insurance plan from offering coverage and that would also bar private insurers that accept federal subsidies from doing so.

Supporters, including Republicans, say the provision preserves the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal money for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the life of the mother. But opponents say the provision goes far beyond that and would result in many women either being denied coverage or having to pay more.

[Alex Romero]

Brent: "Like most people they didn't read their policy"

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Brent Wolters]

And who is covered by the RNC group plan?

 

Fred Thompson?  No.

Pawlenty?  Nope.

Romney or Huck??  No again.

 

Well certainly Sarah is covered by the plan right?  Nope.

 

And even if the Cigna plan covers abortion and death panels... it's not a gov't plan...it's a private plan.  Big whoop- te - do.  Group plans are often limited due to State regulations...the RNC might not have had a choice...or like most employers the RNC probably never read every page of their policy...most people don't.

 

Comparing a gov't plan to a private plan is like comparing the free cheese provided by the Gov't to the fine assortment of cheeses that one can buy in most grocery stores. 

 

Just because the private plan covers, say 50% for elective surgeries...doesn't mean that the gov't plan must also cover this additional expense.

 

The American people are clearly demanding that the gov't get out of the business of FUNDING abortion & death panels. 

 

Persoanlly I'm glad, thrilled that this issue has come up for two reasons.  First people need to be aware of what is in there policies.  And people need to put pressure on their state legs. to get rid of unwanted and costly regulations.

 

 

Subject: RNC health provider not only covers abortions, but death panels as well

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[Alex Romero]

You mean this still doesn't tarnish the Reps Brent?..amazing response really....I mean they harp about death panels, and abortions like its the most important shit ever!...yet they don't even look at their own policy?...just call it what it is...BS...the reps dont care about abortions or death panels...they only use it to control the weak religious minds of those like Brent...and from his response it sure is working...keep up the brain washing...Brent is eating it up like grool!

[Kyle Curtis]

Comparing a gov't plan to a private plan is like comparing the free cheese provided by the Gov't to the fine assortment of cheeses that one can buy in most grocery stores.

I'm sorry, but what fine assortment of cheese are you referring to?  Ever since government started handing out free cheese, all the fine assortment of cheeses I was able to purchase at the grocery store have disappeared.  I guess the conservatives are correct!  As we've seen through the "public option" of government cheese has bankrupted private cheese companies!  I understand that the once-thriving Tillamook dairy is going to be imploded due to government interference on the cheese market!

Jesus, do you even stop to consider your rhetoric before you post?  You might want to, just so you don't come off so fricking dumb.

Lets consider your 'government cheese analogy' which is a pretty good one, even though there are no "free" hand-outs of health care being considered here.  You have money in your pocket, and you're in the market to purchase some cheese.  You go to the store, which acts as a sort of exchange in which you can purchase cheese.  At one end of the aisle, there is the government, mass-produced cheese that is completely bland and devoid of taste or nutrition content, but its still cheese.  On the other hand, there is the fresh parmiagano or Gruyere which can be cut to individual size to your preference.  Now, you're going to buy some cheese so you have a choice to make.  Oh, my which one will you choose?  OF COURSE you'll choose the government cheese, because its cheaper and you really don't have a choice.  All the other options in the cheese department are simply mirages- they are not really available for you to purchase due to the fact that as they are smaller, hand-crafted, and artisan they are unable to use economies of scale and government subsidies to offer cheese at a lower price than the government.  Gosh, it sure does suck to have all your choices taken away, and only be forced to purchase one kind of cheese, despite all the offerings made available to you.  Stupid government.

As for who gets covered by the RNC's health plan, obviously name politicians aren't covered by RNC's plan.  They probably purchase their insurance through a private provider thats covered by the state government, and which also allows abortions and end-of-life counseling, as these items are covered by 70% of private insurance plans.  What I understand you're saying is that what's good enough for the private market isn't good enough for public subsidies.  Uh... okay.  Never mind that stance is, to be blunt, frickin retarded, its also completely inconsistent with everything else you've been saying.  Besides, the government isn't "in the business" of funding abortions and end-of-life counseling.  (Again, that's for private companies, and I guess they shouldn't compete with the government in offering abortions.)  Currently, the Hyde Amendment- which HR 3200 & HR 3962 was consistent with- prevented federal funds going to abortions.  The proposed health care reform was consistent with that, demanding that out-of-pocket premiums covered the procedure.  However, federal subsidies would still go to companies that cover the procedure (again, as most private companies cover it, kind of like how donations to RNC go to Cigna, which covers abortions).  As for end-of-life counseling, these meetings between elderly- or terminal- patients happen all the time, and the proposal that one meeting out of five years could be billed to Medicare.  The patients could discuss with their doctor annually, or never talk to your doctor about such planning.  That is the definition of "voluntary" after all.  (You might want to look into the meaning of that word, along with "option.")  The provision- that was kept in the final version of the bill, because Sarah?!?!?!?'s influence is pretty much nil, at least when it comes to rational discussion of important policy- will allow one meeting every five years, if chosen to be taken at all, to be billed to the federal government.  Oooh, horrors.

Sorry to rain on your uninformed parade full of half-truths and distortions.  I know you're not all that interested in having a clue, but I just thought I'd try.

[Alex Romero]

Brent i believe you need to sharpen your pencils...you've just been schooled!

 

Damn straight Kyle.

[Kyle Curtis]

I'll get Brent's reply started for him:

"Nice try, Kyle..."

[Brent Wolters]

Alex, Kyle...Do you need some whine with your gov't cheese?

Subject: Re: RNC health provider not only covers abortions, but death panels as well

[Kyle Curtis]

Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you'd have a response.  You know, an adriot explanation about how my smack down of your ill-informed rhetoric was incorrect.

My bad.

[Alex Romero]

Ah resorting to BS childlike taunts now eh? better than fantasy debate i guess...Heres mine: "I know you are but what am I".....or how about "I know you are but what am I"

[Simon Taylor]

Denmark has public and private health insurance.  'Nuff said.

--
Just observing

On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 9:35 AM, Kyle Curtis <calic...@gmail.com> wrote:

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