WINTERSVILLE, Ohio -- Hundreds of local AARP members attended a panel discussion Tuesday in search of answers about lawmakers' plans for health care reform.

AARP board of directors' member Richard Johnson would not say if the organization endorses health care reform. He did say the panel discussion with Rep. Charlie Wilson was the organization's way to "bust the myths."

Wilson, a Democrat from Ohio's 6th district, said he read all 1,017 pages of the bill but said it's constantly changing.

"We have no idea what this bill looks like for sure so we don't know how to vote for it," Wilson said.

Wilson said he thinks if the government doesn't change health care, no one else will. But some constituents, like Larry Herman of Steubenville, said they disagree with that statement.

"I'm for reform but not as the government has presented it," Herman said.

Wilson said he would like to see a bi-partisan bill when lawmakers head back to Washington in September. He said he has two main goals in mind for the bill.

"That it's one of common sense and helps the people who don't have health care and those whose costs are going through the ceilings," he said.

The bill has had three versions. As it stands now, the bill would not provide federal funding for abortion.

The president's plan also includes controversial "end of life" care, which would be voluntary counseling given to patients whose conditions have worsened and may be nearing death. Under the plan, Medicare would pay doctors to counsel their patients on end-of-life decisions if they choose. Wilson said patients don't have to participate.

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"Medicare will be preserved. There will be no rationing of care or treatments under this bill. The worst thing (opponents) are saying is that there will be a death panel to determine how your life will end," Johnson said.

There is also the controversy about the cost of the plan. On Tuesday, the Obama administration dramatically increased its 10-year deficit projection to $9 trillion. Opponents said the country can't afford the bill, but President Barack Obama said health care changes would not add to the country's deficit.

At the end of the panel discussion, some people still had many more questions.

"It's the same rhetoric. No answers," one attendee said.

AARP officials acknowledged they have heard heated opposition to health care reform and have even lost some members. But, Johnson said, "We have had 30 times the number join than have canceled."

On the national AARP Web site, CEO Barry Rand says the organization has lost about 50,000 to 60,000 members since July 1. In that same amount of time, Rand said 1.8 million people have either joined AARP or renewed their memberships.

In Hancock County, the Downtown Business Association of Weirton will host a town hall meeting with West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin on Thursday.

The forum will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Rose Room at the Millsop Community Center and will be streamed live on WTOV9.com.

Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage as details become available.