Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle's staunch opposition to federal involvement in health care -- or pretty much everything, for that matter -- was contorted Tuesday with recent news that she and her husband receive government provided health care.
From Tuesday's Politico Morning Score:
Angle's campaign acknowledged to Nevada journalist Jon Ralston Monday that both the candidate and her husband receive health care from the federal government. Spokeswoman Ciara Matthews said in a statement: "Mr. Ted Angle receives his pension through the (federal) Civil Service Retirement System. While it is not supplemented by the federal government, current civil servants pay into the program to pay the schedule of those already retired - much like how the Social Security Program works today. Mr. Angle does not qualify - nor does he receive Social Security benefits. His health insurance plan (the Federal Employee Health Program), which also covers Sharron, is a continuation of what he was receiving while he worked for the federal government."
Angle's prior aversion to government-run health care -- at least for others -- has been no secret. She openly touts her intent to "Repeal and replace Obamacare" on her website, and even claimed recently that such broad legislation was actually unnecessary because there was "nothing wrong with our health care system."
"Our healthcare system is the best in the world," said Angle of the American system, once rated 37th-best in the world, in August. "Our doctors are the best...The access is not what is being denied."
Despite Angle's contention that access to health care is not an issue, more than 18 percent of Nevada's population is currently uninsured, nearly 3 percent higher than the national rate.
And in 2009, Angle railed against mandated health care coverage even for autism treatment and maternity leave.
"You know what I'm talking about. You're paying for things that you don't even need. They just passed the latest one, is everything that they want to throw at us now is covered under 'autism,'" Angle said, using air quotes for the neurological disorder. "So, that's a mandate that you have to pay for. How about maternity leave? I'm not going to have anymore babies, but I sure get to pay for it on my insurance. Those are the kinds of things that we want to get rid of."