10,000 US Physicians Appeal Directly to Their Senators

Today, All 100 US Senators Will Be Listening to Physicians When They Deliver The
"US Physicians Appeal" to Capitol Hill
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
As Congress returns to session this morning, physicians will don their white
coats and deliver the "US Physicians Appeal," signed by over 10,000 physicians
from across the US, directly to all 100 Senators at their Capitol Hill offices.
The Appeal requests that policy makers include frontline working physicians in
national healthcare strategy and pledges physicians` commitment to true
healthcare reform focused on the real sources of spiraling costs. Physicians
leveraged the power of social media by using Sermo, the largest online physician
community to make their voices heard and take an active role in the debate.

US physicians have a unique perspective on the systemic changes needed because
they are on the forefront of care every day - in between patients, hospitals,
Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance companies. Physicians more than any
stakeholder group understand the need for pragmatic reform, not politically
negotiated reform; and they aren`t wasting any time in telling lawmakers they
must be included for solutions to work.

The Appeal will be hand delivered by physicians directly to all 100 Senators on
Capitol Hill today, September 8, with A PRESS AVAILABILITY to include doctors
and Dr. Daniel Palestrant taking place in Senator Tom Coburn`s (R-OKLAHOMA)
office - Russell Senate Building/Room 172-at 230p EST where doctors will
formally hand over the "US Physicians Appeal" for lawmakers` consideration.
Media is welcome*

"With the Appeal physiciansare seeking participation from every member of the US
Senate to work with us on bridging a communication gap dominated by the
influence of special interests. Through an online forum lawmakers can discuss
ideas and developments in the healthcare reform debate, in real time.If the
physician voice is loud enough, it will be heard," states Dr. Daniel Palestrant,
Sermo CEO.

Senator Tom Coburn, (R-Oklahoma) a practicing physician himself, is the first to
engage with physicians on Sermo, posting about tort reform and the establishment
of expert panels to review medical disputes; and on the formation of independent
health courts to determine penalties rather than a trial by jury. "My desire is
to receive and pass on concerns and ideas to the politicians who are shaping the
direction of our profession," said Dr. Coburn.

Sermo is where over 110,000 physicians are using the power of social media to
drive better patient care and have their voices heard by supporting the "US
Physician`s Appeal". By utilizing the Sermoplatform, the physician community and
lawmakers can dialogue to work together in bringing about meaningful, effective
change. Lawmakers are invited to post questions, enter discussion topics and
provide updates directly to the largest physicians-only online network.

Real time polling of physician opinion is a trademark of Sermo`s technology and
provides insight for participants who engage. More than 2200 physicians have
weighed in on Dr. Coburn`s post last week with their thoughts and ideas on how
to make health care reform possible.

After the Appeal delivery, Senators will receive a call asking them to engage
directly with their own physician constituency in the largest online physician
community on Sermo - and address the real issues driving the healthcare crisis.
With so much at stake, getting every perspective is critical to having an
informed debate. The media and the public can follow doctors and lawmakers
progress with the "US Physician`s Appeal" on www.sermo.com/reform.

According to recent polling on Sermo, true healthcare reform will only succeed
IF:

1. Tort and malpractice laws are reformed;

2. Billing is streamlined and pricing made transparent, ending systemic support
of the AMA owned billing codes (CPT Codes);

3. The insurance industry is reformed;

4. Payment systems are simplified so they align with the growing need for
preventive medicine.

About Sermo:

Founded in 2006, by Dr. Daniel Palestrant, Sermo represents the US physician`s
community and is the largest, physicians-only online network where doctors go to
ask and answer questions of each other, and share medical observations from
their daily practice, revolutionizing the way doctors collaborate across the
United States. Sermois a key source of exclusive physician information,
especially as the US health care reform debate continues.

Dr. Palestrant is a recognized, nonpartisan voice who speaks on behalf of
physicians nationwide. Modern Physician recently named him one of the country`s
"50 Most Powerful Physicians", and BusinessWeek has named Sermoone of the "Top
50Tech Startups" globally. He is an active participant in the Sermo community
and he brings a unique voice and the unparalleled opinions and views of the
Sermo network of doctors to interviews.

Follow us on:

Twitter: @sermoteam

Facebook: @Sermo Inc.

Dr. Daniel Palestrant`s blog: www.sermo.com/blog

www.sermo.com/reform

*SIGN THE US PHYSICIANS APPEAL HERE

Sermo
Gina Ashe, +978-501-0869
gashe@sermo.com
or
Joy DiBenedetto, +404-558-0858
humnews@att.net

Copyright Business Wire 2009