Topic: Media Research Center
Via The Jane Dough, we learn that Media Research Center chief Brent Bozell has decided to eliminate coverage for "contraceptive, sterilization and abortifacient services" from the insurance policy that covers MRC employees, claiming he was not aware of the coverage until now and that " I never would have approved this had I known."
Until that provision is actually removed, Bozell is trying to guilt his employees into not making use of it:
In the meantime, I have a simple plea I make: Do not avail yourselves to these contraception/abortifacient/abortion services, not through the MRC. They are evil, and I am unequivocal about this. But I’m also unequivocal in saying I cannot, and will not demand or even ask you to agree with me if you feel otherwise. I cannot, and will not force you to comply with this request if you’re not so inclined.
[...]
I cannot and no one here will not ever review your personal records to see what you have or haven’t done. Period. This is a personal request, and nothing more. To not do this is to commit a mortal sin, I believe.
This is probably not surprising, since the MRC is a conservative organization and all. But his trying to guilt his employees into not using coverage they're paying for is a somewhat dickish move. But that's not surprising either, given what we know about Bozell.
UPDATE: Think Progress adds:
The incident is reminiscent of the Republican National Committee’s reaction upon discovering — through an article in Politico — that its health insurance plan covered abortion in 2009. Like Bozell, the RNC did not change its policy until it contradicted its political rhetoric, suggesting that women’s health care benefits are standard insurance benefits and that the GOP’s sudden outrage is nothing more than a manufactured political issue designed to rally the Republican base.
