AUSTELL - Dr. Brian Hill found himself in familiar territory Friday. The Austell urologist sat in the audience at a forum on health care reform where U.S. Rep. David Scott (D-Smyrna) was the guest speaker. However, this time, Hill decided not to pose any questions to the congressman.

Hill became a local and national media figure when he asked Scott a question about health care reform at a town hall meeting in Douglasville, to which the Congressman gave a heated response.

Since the incident, Scott has been the target of several hate crimes, including a spray painted swastika on the sign outside his Smyrna office that was discovered on Aug. 10.

But instead of perpetuating a message of hate, Hill decided to host a civil public forum at Austell's Collar Community Center alongside fellow doctor and friend, Dr. David Lowther of Athens. Their forum followed a health care panel discussion at the same venue, which was hosted by the AARP and featured Scott.

"We use data and evidence, not personal opinions, to diagnose our patients," Hill said. "So why wouldn't you use the same method to come up with a solution to this health care issue? We're not here for or against any party. This is about patients and health care. I think all of the politicians need to realize that."

This was the second forum the two physicians hosted together, and they said that they hope to continue to hold more in the future.

"We're just trying to get what we hear in the clinic out to the public," Lowther said. "I know that we have to find an answer for certain problems in America's health care system, but the government is talking about taking all of these actions and thus far they haven't shown me that they have the answers. Many states have tried to do this before, and it didn't work. I don't understand why those who back the public option, specifically, think that creating the same sort of program at a national level would bring a different outcome," he said.

Hill related the public option portion of the health care reform bills and Medicaid to running a shop that gives away free bicycles.

"If you advertise it's free, people will come and get the most expensive bikes they can. And when they get them, they'll do whatever they want to them and break them or let them rust, because they know they can always go back and get another one for free. But, eventually, the bikes will run out. The same goes for the public option and Medicaid; eventually, there's a pool of cash that's just going to run out. And I'm afraid that's going to happen a lot sooner than people realize," he said.

Most of the physicians' meeting consisted of Q&A from the almost 40 people in attendance as the two doctors went through several points on a PowerPoint slideshow. All of the points were based on what they called an "evidence-based approach."

"We want to have an open Q&A, not read off of a speech, say a few things then walk out the door and to our cars scott-free. No pun intended," Lowther said, as the audience laughed and clapped.

The AARP-sponsored meeting that preceded the physicians' forum brought almost 165 concerned citizens to the venue, most of which are AARP members. William Brown, AARP regional advocacy campaign manager for the Southeast Region, said the group sent out a notice to members about the public forum, but could only take the first 150 who replied. But because of rain, several people did not attend, so others from the public were allowed into the meeting.

Brown said the organization has been hosting town hall meetings or public forums all over the country, and that this was the second hosted by the AARP in Georgia. The first was with Congressman John Barrow (D-Savannah), another is scheduled for Sept. 9 in Albany with Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-Albany), and they are attempting to set one up with Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Macon).

"These four are Georgia's 'blue dogs,' the more conservative democrats that everyone concerned about the health care reform bill is targeting," Brown said. "I think there's a lot of misconception about the stance the AARP is taking on the bill. We're behind health care reform, but we have not endorsed any certain plan," he said.

During the meeting, residents had an opportunity to spend two minutes asking a question in front of a microphone to any of the three panel members. Most of the questions revolved around confusion as to what the different bills propose and what exactly Scott is for and against. One resident asked the congressman whether or not he supported the public option, to which the congressman replied, "Yes. I will take the public option. I am for it."

The crowd then broke into a few seconds of verbal disbelief and anger, but this was the most heated moment in an otherwise calm forum.

Several residents expressed concerns that certain ideas were already in place and ready to be passed with the bill, but Scott made it clear that nothing is set in stone yet.

"Please note that there is not a final bill. Everything is a work in progress. More than anything, we're trying to find what's fair and efficient. I don't believe people should be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition, and I don't agree with the fact that someone can have their coverage dropped with they get sick. There has to be some sort of change," Scott said.

After the meeting concluded, Catherine Gregg, 60, of Mableton, said that she feels those answers shouldn't come from the government.

"I chose not to speak, but I wanted to come to show that I oppose any sort of government involvement in health care," Gregg said. "I don't feel like I got many answers, because I know that Scott is bound and determined that this universal, public option sort of health care is the answer. I have health care insurance, and I'm happy with it. But if the AARP decides to back this sort of bill up, well, I'll pull my membership in a heartbeat because it doesn't represent what I believe," she said.