Steve Southerland Looks to Pin Obamacare on Gwen Graham

U.S. Rep Steve Southerland, R-Fla., faces a tough challenge from Democrat Gwen Graham, the daughter of former U.S. Sen. and Gov. Bob Graham, D-Fla., in November and he is going all out to tie her to President Barack Obamas federal health-care law.

In Panama City on Wednesday, Southerland announced the support of the Bays Medical Society and Florida Medical Association before turning his fire on Graham.

Im honored to have the support of the hard-working doctors, nurses, and health care professionals who help keep our communities healthy, said Southerland. Doctors take an oath to first, do no harm, and they know better than anyone how harmful government-run health care has been for local families. Unfortunately, that message hasnt gotten through to Gwen Graham, who continues to shift between supporting Obamacare and running from the question. When youre more interested in currying favor with Nancy Pelosi than you are in listening to our doctors and patients, youre writing North and Northwest Florida a prescription for disaster.

Steve is the only candidate in this race who opposes Obamacare, said Dr. Jon Ward, the past president of the Bays Medical Society and currently on the board of governors for the Florida Medical Association. Steve supports letting patients choose the health care plans and their physicians, and has fought for adequate Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals so our seniors can get the care they deserve. Gwen Graham, on the other hand, has stuck to the Nancy Pelosi playbook, dodging questions and refusing to fight government control of health care. As doctors, we know we cant trust Gwen Graham to put the needs of our patients first, and thats why were proud to endorse Steve Southerland for Congress.