Specter asks Grassley to stop promoting ‘myths’ about ‘death panels’

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) called his Republican colleague Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa) to ask him to stop spreading “myths” about healthcare reform legislation and “death panels.”

The Pennsylvania Democrat’s call demonstrates growing tension between his party and Grassley, who is the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee and lead GOP negotiator on healthcare reform.

Specter tweeted Friday:

Called Senator Grassley to tell him to stop speading myths about health care reform and imaginary “death panels.”

Had to leave a message – for now. I will talk to him soon.

Grassley announced yesterday that the Finance Committee would drop end-of-life provisions from its version of the bill “because of the way they could be misinterpreted and implemented incorrectly.”

Earlier this week, the Iowa Republican echoed claims first made by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) that the end-of-life provision would create a government “death panel” that would decide end-of-life issues.

“Such decisions “ought to be done within the family. We should not have a government program that determines if you’re going to pull the plug on grandma,” Grassley said.

Cross-posted to the Briefing Room