VIDEO: Grassley talks health care across Iowa

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told people at a town hall meeting Wednesday they have “every right to fear” a provision in a House bill that would provide funding for end-of-life counseling.

Grassley said decisions over such things as living wills should be made within the family.

“We should not have a government program that determines we're gonna pull the plug on grandma,” Grassley said.

Close to 300 crowded a lawn outside the public library in Winterset for a town hall meeting sponsored by the senator that was dominated by health care issues.

Grassley drew applause when he said Republicans do not want to allow a bureaucrat to get between doctors and patients.

But he said he is  in favor of efforts to make health insurance affordable and accessible that does not discriminate against people with pre-existing health conditions.

Grassley said one of his goals is choice, and pledged to vote against any legislation with a government-run health-care plan in it because it would “end up being the only plan someday.”

“I don't think the people of this country would put up with a rationing that goes on in Canada where you gotta wait three months to get an MRI,” Grassley said.

Although some dissenters voiced disagreement with Grassley's positions, it was a far less contentious scene than an event sponsored by Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin last week where he was repeatedly shouted down by health-care reform opponents.

As the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley has played a key role in negotiations for a bipartisan health-care reform package. He has faced criticisms from some in his party who oppose reforms.

Grassley defended his role in the process, saying he has a responsibility to report to Republicans on what is going on.

“You know the old saying, if you aren't at the table, you're the menu,” Grassley said. “Well, I feel I'd rather be something than just the menu.”

Linda Lemons, who worked at a Polk County hospital that treated the uninsured, was at the event to urge health care reforms.

“To me, health care is a moral issue. If someone's hurting, we have a responsibility to find a way to help them not have them continue to suffer needlessly when we can assist them in getting through it much easier,” Lemons said.

She quit her job as a mental health therapist in part, she said, because of the stress of working in an agency where there is concern about funding.

Marge Pearson, a Republican from Van Meter who attended the forum, said health-care reform is not needed.

“I just would like to have our federal government totally stay out of it,” Pearson said.

Pearson called Grassley the “stronghold” against health-care reforms.

“I also think he's willing to compromise, and I'd rather he not do that,” Pearson said.