Comments from a Senate candidate from Nevada about autism insurance coverage are ruffling the feathers of Obama administration officials and disability advocates alike.

The remarks were made by Sharron Angle — a Republican candidate who is hoping to unseat Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. — during a 2009 Tea Party rally while talking about reasons that health care costs are high.

“They just passed the latest one. Everything they want to throw at us is covered under ‘autism,’ so that’s a mandate that you have to pay for,” Angle said, using her fingers to make quotes around the word autism. “How about maternity leave? I’m not going to have any more babies, but I sure get to pay for it on my insurance. Those are the kinds of things we want to get rid of.”

Now Angle is being called out by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. During a visit to Reno on Monday, Sebelius said Angle’s comments are “insulting” to those living with autism, reports The Reno Gazette-Journal. To read more click here.

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is also asking for Angle to apologize for her remarks. “Whatever one’s public policy views, fostering public ignorance and stereotypes about autism hurts autistic people and our families,” the group said in a statement.

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