Local Doctor Joins Thousands from Across the Country to Lobby Congress about Health Care Reform

CARTERSVILLE, GEORGIA, September 14, 2009

Dr. Melissa Rhodes of Respiratory Consultants of Georgia (RCG) joined over 1,000 physicians organized by docs4patientcare.org, representing all 50 states, including 75 from Georgia, on September 10th, to stand together to lobby members of Congress to create patient-centric reforms that will not put the government between the patient and doctor. Dr. Rhodes is one of thousands of physicians who oppose a government run health care system that will drive doctors out of medical practice as it becomes impossible to carry out their Hippocratic oaths.

Several physician and healthcare groups have rallied together in the wake of the American Medical Association signing on to President Obama’s health care proposals to let the voice of doctors from every area of practice be heard. Dr. Rhodes and several other physicians were invited to speak before the House Judiciary Committee by Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) about their concerns relating to ensuring we have a patient-centered health care system, while lobbying in Washington D.C.

“I felt it was important to take a stand for the patients that we serve,” stated Melissa Bruce Rhodes, M.D., F.C.C.P. and co-founder of RCG. “The proposed legislation, House Bill 3200, will undermine the ability to provide excellence in medical care and dramatically affect care for patients in northwest Georgia and throughout the country.” Dr. Rhodes, an expert in pulmonary, critical care, and internal medicine, joins other physicians with hope this rally will open lawmakers’ eyes and minds to a better plan. She encourages patients to be informed about the impact to care delivery that could occur if House Bill 3200, in its current form, is passed.