President Barack Obama is trying to sell the nation's doctors on his prescription for health care reform Monday in Chicago.

The President addressed a tough crowd at the American Medical Association, which is yet to be sold on the plan.

Many critics argue more government intervention isn't the answer. They say Obama's proposal of a government takeover isn't always what's best for their patients.

Obama asked the A.M.A. to support changes that he says will deliver affordable health coverage to 46 million uninsured Americans.

"We are not a nation that lets hardworking families go without the coverage," Obama said.

Doctor Rob Rhodes, the president of the Lancaster County Medical Society and a family physician in Lincoln, was in the audience Monday in Chicago.

"The biggest message he [Obama] made clear to the physician attenders of the American Medical Association meeting was that we need to pursue reform that works for Americans, but is not going to work against physicians, which was well-received. He made sure that we understood that we're going to work together," Rhodes said.

Dr. Rhodes says Obama outlined three ways the country can save almost one trillion dollars each year in health care, including using electronic medical records, pushing for preventative care, and reforming the compensation system used.

He said the President also outlined his idea for a health insurance exchange.

"He [Obama] made it very clear that it would not be socialized medicine, it would be a public option. If you like the system you're in with your family doctor or pediatrician or internist, or if you like your health insurance plan, you wouldn't have to make a change. He outlined that he wanted to put affordable health care in the reach of all Americans, especially the 46-50 million that do not have health insurance, and I as a family doctor and my academy supports that," said Rhodes.

Obama says if the country does not fix the health care system, America could go in the way of General Motors, paying more, getting less, and going broke in the process. Dr. Rhodes says that's a concern of his as well.

"I think the bottom line is that physicians, as well as the President, agree that the status quot is just not sustainable. We can't keep functioning in a system where one out of every five dollars that's earned is going towards health care costs. And statistics say that by the next, you know, 20, 30 years, it's going to be even more dollars spent on that, so hopefully it's for the future generations, that will have care, and good care, and it will create an opportunity for patients to be taken care of at all levels. But hopefully and ultimately, we want to ensure that it's a good system that does take care of people in a compassionate way that physicians were trained to take care of them in," Dr. Rhodes said.