Testimony to the Pepper Commission: the United States Bipartisan Commission on Comprehensive Health Care.

Finally, let me emphasize that the National Medical Association stands ready to assist the Congress in structuring and implementing any new programs that may result from this gathering. We do have a concern regarding the lack of basic race-specific data, including the extent of long-term care problems in the black communities. It is widely believed that an improved data base to assess the needs and to deal with the issues confronting the black and other minority or economically disadvantaged patient would greatly help to improve existing modes of treatment and outcome.