The political agenda of health care for African Americans.

Health care reform presents both challenges and opportunities for African Americans. On the one hand, reform could result in the closure of black medical institutions and fewer black physicians. On the other hand, reform gives African Americans an opportunity to bargain for available resources to gain equality in health care services. To this end, the Volunteer State Medical Association has been involved in state health care reform. Its goals are to resolve the current financial crisis at black medical institutions; to assist in the survival and development of local black managed care organizations; to assure that all licensed black physicians have continued access to patients; and to develop black-owned health-related businesses. The association has formed the Tennessee Coalition for Quality Health Care, a group of African American politicians, physicians, educators, and health care administrators who can negotiate with state and federal officials in the issue of health care reform.