AP FACT CHECK: McCain Persists in Exaggerations and Misrepresentations.

“A week from the presidential election, Republican John McCain is persisting in exaggerating and misrepresenting rival Barack Obama’s tax and health-care plans…McCain’s central claim - that people will be ‘forced’ into a new government-run plan under an Obama presidency - is not true. In fact, Obama broke with many Democrats and others who advocate universal coverage when he announced his plan would be mandatory only for children, and voluntary for everyone else. Obama would allow those who want to keep their current employer-based health insurance to do so. Rather than requiring everyone to purchase coverage, Obama’s plan is designed to bring down costs - make insurance more affordable so as many people as possible would choose to buy it. In addition, under Obama’s plan, employers would not be fined for not providing coverage. Instead, large employers - but not small businesses - would be required either to provide health insurance or contribute toward the cost of a public plan. McCain also accuses Obama of aiming to raise taxes on small businesses, which he says would cause them to cut jobs…In fact, Obama would raise taxes on small businesses making more than $250,000, but only about two percent of small businesses in the country fall into that category.” [AP, 10/27/08: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FACT_CHECK_MCCAIN?SITE=OHCIN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT]