Scott DesJarlais Losing Medical Community Support, Donations

Medical Donors Sick of Scott DesJarlais
FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2012 file photo, U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., greets supporters on election night in Winchester, Tenn. At left is his wife, Amy. A little more than a week after the election, the voters of Tennessee's 4th District got proof that their congressmen, an anti-abortion physician, had misled them repeatedly about having affairs with patients, encouraging a lover to get an abortion and using a gun to intimidate his ex-wife during an argument. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2012 file photo, U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., greets supporters on election night in Winchester, Tenn. At left is his wife, Amy. A little more than a week after the election, the voters of Tennessee's 4th District got proof that their congressmen, an anti-abortion physician, had misled them repeatedly about having affairs with patients, encouraging a lover to get an abortion and using a gun to intimidate his ex-wife during an argument. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Medical industry donors are apparently getting sick and tired of Rep. Scott DesJarlais, a Tennessee Republican doctor who pressured his patient mistress to get an abortion and wrote prescriptions for another patient he was having sex with.

DesJarlais' fundraising ability took a beating after revelations of the first affair and abortion demand, but DesJarlais rallied and managed to win reelection handily.

Soon after, however, a judge released full transcripts from DesJarlais' 2001 divorce, which revealed that the doctor admitted to a string of affairs with coworkers and patients at the hospital where he was chief of staff, and also agreed to two abortions with his wife.

Now, political action committees affiliated with the medical profession are starting to look for a new doctor, reports the Chattanooga Times Free Press:

Political action committees connected to the health industry gave a combined $71,000 to U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais’ successful re-election effort.

But at least six PACs that gave to DesJarlais’ 2012 campaign, including local insurance giants BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and Unum, said they won’t give again in 2014.

For more, read here.

DesJarlais has signaled he will not resign, and told a radio host over the weekend that he believes God has forgiven him, but he's already facing at least two potential Republican primary challengers.

He also faces a medical ethics complaint filed with the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners.

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