One way or another, U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., figures to get an earful on health care reform while home for the congressional recess next week.

But she will not be doing so at a meeting scheduled specifically to talk about health care overhaul legislation pending in Congress — much to the chagrin of the state Republican Party chief.

State GOP chairman Doyle Webb wonders if Lincoln is trying to avoid such forums after saying this week that some opponents of health care reform were deliberately disrupting forums being held around the country, an act she initially described as “un-American.”

Lincoln later apologized for the characterization.

Webb says in a statement today: “People across Arkansas are concerned about the future of health care and have been waiting for the opportunity to speak with their elected officials about the Obama-Pelosi-Reid health care plan during the August recess.  I’m very disappointed to see Sen. Blanche Lincoln does not have a single health care town hall on her schedule.  These forums allow constituents to voice their opinion openly and honestly with their elected officials.  I certainly hope Sen. Lincoln is not trying to avoid vocal critics that she has referred to as ‘un-American,’ as they express their freedom of speech at public venues.”

A round table on veterans health care Tuesday in Little Rock and an address to the Mental Health Council of Arkansas on Thursday in Hot Springs are the only health-specific forums at which Lincoln is scheduled to appear in the state next week.

Her week-long schedule also includes appearances before civic groups, business and economic development leaders, county officials and Democratic groups.