TOCCOA, Ga. Health care and abortion were among the topics at a meeting of Republican candidates for the new 9th Congressional District seat in northeast Georgia.

Doug Collins, Roger Fitzpatrick and Martha Zoller all appeared at the forum this week at the Historic Stephens County Courthouse in downtown Toccoa.

The winner of the Republican primary for the seat in July will face Democratic candidate Jody Cooley in November.

The three Republicans covered a number of topics such as taxes, spending, and health care.

On health care, all the candidates agreed that repealing the federal Affordable Care Act is a priority.

In terms of replacing it, Collins said he supported market-based reforms.

Zoller and Fitzpatrick both cited their support for the health-care reform plan submitted by U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, a Georgia Republican. Fitzpatrick added that tort reform also is an issue that Congress needs to review.

We need to look at revising tort reform and make sure that exorbitant sums of money are not awarded, he said. Malpractice insurance is driving the cost of health care up, and that needs to be dealt with. We need to get the health-care system back to the private sector, so that it becomes more productive, more efficient and more cost-effective.

All three candidates also called for the elimination of numerous government agencies and for a move to a more consumption-based tax, or fair tax.

On another issue, Zoller challenged Collins on a vote Collins made while a state representative to extend a hotel and motel tax in Atlanta.

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Health care, abortion among topics at candidate forum in Toccoa