en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/271892 Comments by jcm http://change.gov/page/content/discusshealthcare#IDComment11773335 The sad truth is that the current payment system for U.S. providers pays 'better' for illness than for health or prevention. One simple measure that could be taken immediately would be to address the current reimbursement schedule so that not only are 'well' exams fully covered by private and public payers, but also for 'preventative' visits to be reimbursed at a higher rate than 'sick' or 'problem' visits. In some instances providers cannot afford to provide well or routine care for Medicaid or Medicare patients because the reimbursement is so poor that provider actually loses $$ by careingfor the patient.____Access to the health care system continues to be problematic for most americans. We should make better use of mid-level providers and utiliize legislation and reimbursement regulations to allow these less expensive providers to function more independently and to the fullest extent of their training.____Contraceptive options should be cheap and easy to obtain. Women who rely on Medicaid only have access to health care if they are pregnant. Many private health plans do not cover contraception.____Poor health care for women is neither economical nor humane. Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:31:19 +0000 http://change.gov/page/content/discusshealthcare#IDComment11773335