Today, President Obama spoke to the American Medical Association (AMA) Convention in Chicago about his healthcare plan for the nation.  I didn't watch or listen.  No reason to receive his words, since he lies.  Knowing that he was speaking to that group, one to which most doctors don't belong, incidentally, prompted me to put fingers to keyboard.

The problems with America’s “healthcare system” are two: (1) it’s a system, and (2) it’s not healthcare; it’s medical care.  The real problems with America’s medical care system are two: (1) government involvement, and (2) its resulting (from government involvement) financing.

 Without government intrusion, individuals and businesses would have a level playing field vis-à-vis tax consequences when buying health and medical insurance; both would be treated equally badly.   Currently, business can expense those costs, thus avoiding some taxes while individuals cannot tax deduct.

 Without government intrusion, insurance policies would be made available such that people didn’t have to buy coverage they didn’t need or want, and from any insurer, regardless of where located or licensed.   Currently, there’s a boatload of regulations, both from the feds and state governments, dictating what must be covered in any and all policies.

 Without government intrusion, healthcare and medical practitioners, pharmaceutical makers, distributors and dispensers would not need to be licensed.  Licensure is how professional associations now legally act in restraint of trade, much like unions do.  Physicians, dentists, optometrists, etc., via their associations limit schools allowed to have degree programs, and the size of those programs.  This restricts competition in the field.

 Without government intrusion anyone would be able to offer any or all organs and tissues, or their entire body for that matter, for sale on, say, ebay.  A free market would yield many times more transplant-ready organs.  In today’s system, everyone is remunerated except the donor.

 Absent government intrusion, Ajax Healthmed Insurance Company could offer policies covering an ala carte menu of maladies from A to Z, each priced individually.  I, as a male member of the chronologically-gifted set would probably opt out of buying P for pregnancy.  Like life insurance companies, Ajax’s price per malady might increase the older I am, given that medical costs rise with aging.  Like auto insurers, Ajax might offer me a low price, based on my behavioral history and current modus operandi.  No tickets and no accidents gets one lower rates.

 Others might pay excess premiums to Ajax, based upon excess weight, more yet for obesity, or on elevated blood pressure, or on lack of cardiovascular exercise, or because of tobacco use, or because of high cholesterol.  My smoking 30+ years ago would cost me because I now have permanent lung restriction.

 Sensible people wouldn’t ask Ajax to cover annual doctor visits, teeth cleaning, optical exams, eye glasses, and the like, any more than they would look for grocery insurance or ask their auto insurer to cover oil changes or new tires.  Company-paid exams, cleanings, glasses are compensation, not insurance.

 Without government intrusion, motorcycle helmet laws would disappear.  Ajax might charge extra for bikers.  It might refuse to insure anyone in a bike accident not wearing a helmet, or impose a $100,000 deduction, or whatever it chose to offer.  A biker would be free to be open-minded if he wished, but not at your expense, my expense or Ajax’s expense.

 An egregious anecdote: Nine persons, middle-aged, English-speaking, five men and four women, over a four-year period went to hospital emergency rooms for treatment 2,678 times, paying not a dime.  The cost to the taxpayers of Texas was $2.7 million. Without government intrusion, this scenario would have been different.  No word, incidentally, whether the nine called 9-1-1 to get paramedics or EMTs for transport, also without paying.

 Physicians – citing the Hippocratic Oath – refuse to turn away anyone, including those unwilling or unable to pay.  That’s why Texans got stuck paying for those nine freeloaders.  Without government intrusion, those physicians would either have to solicit funding from charities or pick up the tab themselves.  The docs would have to put their money where their oath is.  There is no right to medical care, to healthcare, or to health.

 What’s wrong with American healthcare and medical care today is price.  It costs a lot.  Government intrusion adds costs every time.  Government can help us all not by doing, but by undoing.  The more undoing, the better.  Zero intrusion would be ideal.  When the person receiving treatment is the same as the person paying for treatment, caveat (will) emptor, the buyer will beware . . . and negotiate . . . and evaluate trade-offs.

 Today, people call 9-1-1 for paramedics and EMTs to take them to an emergency room because ambulances will only take them there, not to clinics or private doctors.  The alternative would be to call a cab, but they don’t give away rides.  Today people call 9-1-1 for paramedics and EMTs because they absolutely cannot make a decision, take responsibility for themselves or a child or spouse.  If they had to pay $500, most might find themselves able and willing to make a decision.

With even more government intrusion, we can have for all of us the likes of Medicare – due for bankruptcy within five years – and Medicaid – due to bankrupt many states shortly – and Veterans Administration Hospitals, killing and maiming vets daily.  Then, where will Canadians go.

My bet?  Americans won't get the drpete plan, but they won't get the Obama plan either.  I lose regularly.  This'll be his first.