Presidential rivals tout healthcare plans

NASHVILLE, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, in Tuesday's presidential debate in Nashville, each predicted the other's healthcare plan would cause pain.

"If you've got healthcare already ... then you can keep your plan if you are satisfied with it," Obama said of his plans. "You can keep your choice of doctor. We're going to work with your employer to lower the cost of your premiums by up to $2,500 a year ... by investing in prevention. We're going to do it by making sure that we use information technology so that medical records are actually on computers instead of you filling forms out in triplicate when you go to the hospital. That will reduce medical errors and reduce costs."

McCain "says he's going to give you a $5,000 tax credit," Obama said. "What he doesn't tell you is that he is going to tax your employer-based healthcare benefits for the first time ever."

McCain suggested changes: "Let's put health records online. That will reduce medical errors ... Let's have community health centers. Let's have walk-in clinics. Let's do a lot of things to impose efficiencies."

But he said the Democratic plan would hurt small businesses. "If you're a small business person, and you don't insure your employees, Senator Obama will fine you -- will fine you," McCain said. "That's remarkable. If you're a parent and you're struggling to get health insurance for your children, Senator Obama will fine you."

He added, "I want to give every American a $5,000 refundable tax credit they can take anywhere, across state lines. Why not?"