Sharron Angle Republicans

When calling for repeal of health reform, most Republican officials and candidates soften the implications of the suggestion by adding that there are some provisions in the law they like, such as the mandate that insurance companies cover those with preexisting conditions.

So it's noteworthy when you find a Republican who's willing to come out against that provision.

Renee Ellmers, who's running a competitive race against Dem Rep. Bob Etheridge in North Carolina's second district, not only opposes mandates for coverage of preexisting conditions, but she also opposes mandates for coverage of maternity care, according to the Clayton News Star:

She said she was opposed to having the government mandate that insurers must accept customers with pre-existing conditions. "Let the private insurance companies decide how they're going to handle the pre-existing conditions situation," she said. She also questioned whether all insurance customers should have to help pay for maternity care. The health-insurance industry typically considers pregnancy a pre-existing condition. "Maternity coverage -- that's another one. ... Should you have to pay for someone else's [maternity care]? Maybe you've decided you've had your children, or maybe we have a 35-year-old female who's had a hysterectomy. Should she have to pay maternity coverage? Maternity coverage is very costly," Ellmers said.

This would put Ellmers -- who happens to be a nurse -- squarely in Sharron Angle territory. Angle, recall, recently said:

"How about maternity leave? I'm not gonna have any more 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."

Maybe it's time for a special Sharron Angle/Nurses Against Maternity Coverage Caucus?

