The healthcare safety net in this country is comprised of Medicare, Medicaid and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Under current reimbursement policy, when patients with Medicare or Medicaid are seen at FQHCs, the clinic is paid a flat reimbursement and no medications administered or devices implanted are reimbursable. With advancing medical technology, there are products available which are too expensive for FQHCs to absorb the cost. These devices include contraceptives (IUDs/arm implants) and injectable medications (treatment of addiction, prevention of preterm labor). Medicare/Medicaid patients should have the same coverage of these advanced treatments at their FQHC clinic, instead of having to be referred to a private clinic!