India West, News Report, Posted: Aug 21, 2010

An Indian American cardiologist in rural Arizona is running in the August 24 primary to be the Republican candidate to Congress, reports India West. Steve Mehta said he believes red tape has damaged healthcare and there needs to be a way to encourage doctors to remain in rural communities. Mehta said he felt the recent healthcare bill would reduce patient access to care especially in rural areas. After practicing in Phoenix in the early ‘90s, he moved to the rural town of Show Low, where he built a cardiovascular program. He then went to the Heart Center of Northeastern Arizona, which he described as the only privately-owned rural facility of its kind. He also told India West he supports SB 1070 in Arizona because, while as a physician he would not turn anyone away, the United States needed to be a "little more selfish," and illegal immigration was straining the system. Mehta was born in India and is running in a crowded primary where eight candidates are trying to unseat Ann Kirkpatrick, who won the seat for the Democrats for the first time. Mehta was raised a Jain but calls himself "a non-denominational Christian."