Democrats want Angle to drop her government-provided health care plan

By Anjeanette Damon

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010 | 12:51 p.m.

Accusing her of being a hypocrite, national Democrats are calling on Republican senate candidate Sharron Angle to drop the government-funded health insurance she enjoys through her husband, who is a retired government worker.

Angle’s campaign confirmed to Sun columnist Jon Ralston that Angle is covered through the Federal Employee Health Program, a benefit of his employment with the Bureau of Land Management, from which he is retired.

The couple also receive benefits from his pension.

Angle supports privatizing Social Security and Medicare, believing the federal government should not be involved in such benefit programs.

“If Sharron Angle truly believes what she says, then she should drop her own health insurance,” said Democratic National Committee spokesman Hari Sevugan. “If she decides to keep her insurance, paid for by the American public, she should explain to her supporters why she claims one thing and does another.”

The demand that Angle drop her husband’s employer-provided insurance is somewhat ironic from a party that supports health care for all.

They counter, however, that Angle should buy her insurance through the private market if she wants to maintain philosophical integrity.