According to Fox News, Alabama Democratic Congressman Parker Griffith has announced that he is switching parties, in part over the health care debate.  Congressman Griffith is a retired radiation oncologist, pioneer in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and freshman Congressman for the fifth district in Alabama.  Elected in 2008, Congressman Griffith serves on three House Committees – Transportation & Infrastructure, Science & Technology and Small Business.

Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, announced Tuesday that he’s switching parties to become a Republican.

“I have become increasingly concerned that the bills and policies pushed by the current Democratic leadership are not good for north Alabama or our nation,” Griffith said during a press conference Tuesday.

“I am announcing today that I’m joining the Republican conference immediately,” he said. “Our nation is at a crossroads and I can no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy, and drives us further and further into debt.”

From Politico…

A radiation oncologist who founded a cancer treatment center, Griffith cited the Democratic health care bill as a major reason for his switch.

“I want to make it perfectly clear that his bill is bad for our doctors, our patients and will have unintended consequences far beyond what we know today,” he said. “As a doctor and as a Republican, I plan to once again oppose this measure and hope that we can defeat this bill that is a major threat to our nation.”

You may remember Congressman Griffith as one of the few male members of Congress who spoke out against the recent recommendations regarding changes in mammography recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.  Congressman Griffith’s statement about the changes in mammography recommendations from 11/18/2009 follows.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Parker Griffith today condemned the recent report by a panel appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services, which recommended women delay their first mammogram until the age of 50 and only receive regular checkups every two years instead of annually. 

“I plan to meet personally with our Surgeon General and fellow Alabamian Dr. Regina Benjamin to ensure that this reckless recommendation is not implemented,” Dr. Griffith said. “To release a blanket suggestion that delays and suffocates valuable preventative medicine and fails to take into account family history or high-risk factors in American women is irresponsible.  Our mothers, daughters and sisters deserve better than that.”

Dr. Parker Griffith began his career in medicine as the Tennessee Valley’s first Radiation Oncologist and spent more than thirty years promoting education and preventative medicine.  Dr. Griffith opened North Alabama’s first comprehensive cancer treatment center.  He was an early advocate for mammograms and has worked throughout his career to provide access to these screenings.

“I have been an advocate of preventative medicine for decades, and this recommendation – on this large of a stage – is a dangerous step in the wrong direction,” Dr. Griffith said. “Annual mammograms increase the number of cancers we catch at an early stage and will cut costs for the patient, the physician, our hospitals and our nation in the long run.  Most importantly, mammograms and annual exams save lives.”