Obama to lay out plans to help small businesses

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama speaks Thursday morning to small business leaders about the administration's plans to offer them assistance.

Those plans include increased access to capital and a health care overhaul proposal that would give small businesses the ability to control health costs.

In the afternoon, Obama meets with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore in the Oval Office. Later, he has a closed meeting in the Oval Office with Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont. The president also will sign the Girl Scouts USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, with the first lady in attendance.

The president will then meet with members of Congress on health insurance reform.