title: Comments from the National Medical Association concerning a "white paper" on proposed strategies for fulfilling primary care manpower needs.
abstract: The NMA has long had the participation and leadership of those in primary care and those who practice in medically underserved or medically indigent areas. We, therefore, are most supportive of the objectives and goals you have presented. We have offered suggestions to strengthen your "White Paper" by emphasizing the vital nature of the current and future role of primary health care delivery; by stating the effects that changes in physician reimbursement, especially utilizing the Relative Value Scale, will have on the expectations of those who are considering primary care; by continuing to offer scholarship assistance and loan forgiveness to those who are willing to commit during their medical education to a primary care career through the NHSC; by making a priority the effort to recruit older physicians by providing well-defined incentives, including liability relief; and by emphasizing the continued recruitment, retention, and encouragement of minority and disadvantaged applicants entering health care careers and stressing the support they must receive to be able to afford to practice in underserved areas. The National Medical Association welcomes the chance to undertake any collaborative efforts which may aid our mutual missions. Therefore, we are willing to assist you in helping to solve the critical need for primary care physicians in medically underserved communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20059.
authors.forename: V W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Pinn-Wiggins
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States; D044465:White People; D000078329:Workforce