I think there's some truth to that, although it may vary in different parts of the country. When we asked health plans about that, they said they couldn't tell us because they don't keep those particular statistics. Plans don't track the race of physicians on their panels. It's not only important to track the race of physicians, it's important to track the race of patients. Plans do neither.
Data show that race is a risk factor.
It ties into trying to deliver appropriate medicine. I think you're right. Market forces are devastating to the vulnerable population, especially the African-American population. I'm in private practice in San Diego, and California is highly penetrated by managed care. About 50 percent of what I do is administration.