Late yesterday afternoon, POLITICO reported that that the health insurance which the Republican National Committee provides for its employees covers elective abortions. The RNC had used the same plan since 1991, but as of today, that is no longer the case.

In a statement, RNC Chairman Michael Steel 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."

I like drawing attention to Republican hypocrisy as much as the next guy, and I chuckled for a moment when I first saw this story. But it didn't take a genius to see this move to restrict the committee's insurance plan coming, and that's a shame.

There's no reason at all that the RNC's health care plan shouldn't cover elective abortion. It is a legal medical procedure, protected by the Constitution.

The fact is, employers ought to do everything they can to give employees the most-complete coverage possible, and part of me hates that RNC staffers will no longer get that benefit.