It's doctor vs. doctor in race to represent Florida in U.S. House

The incumbent, an internist, is being challenged by a family physician from the opposite end of the political spectrum.

By Doug Trapp, AMNews staff. Jan. 14, 2008.

Washington -- The race for Florida's 15th Congressional District is adding new meaning to the term "physician choice."

Rep. Dave Weldon, MD (R, Fla.), an internist running for his seventh term in the district, located southeast of Orlando, is being challenged by political newcomer and Democrat Stephen Blythe, DO. A family physician, Dr. Blythe admits he faces an uphill battle in the conservative-leaning area.

Dr. Weldon is supported by the Florida Medical Assn. and the Brevard County Medical Society.

It's unclear when two physicians last opposed each other for a seat in Congress. But with only 10 physicians in the House and two in the Senate, it's certainly a rare event.

These two doctors stand far apart on many of their political views, including those on health care, which polls show is an issue of high concern for voters these days. For example, to reduce the number of uninsured, Dr. Weldon would use tax credits to help low-income people pay for private coverage. Dr. Blythe favors a Medicare-for-everyone single-payer health system and is a member of Physicians for a National Health Program.

Although both physicians went to medical school near the Canadian border, they have very different opinions about the pluses and minuses of a Canadian-style health care system.

Dr. Weldon, who attended the Buffalo School of Medicine in New York, doesn't believe the government can provide care as well as the private sector. A single-payer system would lead to lower quality of care and waiting lists to see physicians, he said.