Gawande said Clinton's plan would do the most to improve these problems with Asian-American health care. For example, capping business expenses on health care at 3.5 percent of gross revenues would help the many Asian Americans employed by small businesses.

Conference organizers said they weren't sure why Asian Americans have been so silent on health care issues, but suggested a variety of theories.

"Because the Asian population is so diverse, so spread out across the country, it's difficult to bring them together as a movement," said Andrew T. Chan, co-chair of the Asian Health Association.

Student reactions to the conference were mixed.

"I think the issue of primary care is very important, and we have to be able to admit that we're part of the problem," said Katrina R. Liu, a fourth-year student at the Boston University School of Medicine. "We never hear anything about the Asian community."

But other students were disappointed. "Since this is the first time we're having this, it's difficult to accomplish anything," said David S. Lee, a second year student at the Boston University School of Medicine. "They're reiterating a lot of the issues we already know, so it's not effective in getting grassroots support."

Conference organizers said that discussion of Asian American health issues was important because so many Asians work in the medical community. For example, said Patricia K. Lee, a second year medical student and conference organizer, about 20 percent of students at Harvard Medical School are Asian.

"There are a lot of Asians and Asian Americans in the health field and medical schools, but a real lack of discussion of their health concerns," Lee said. "We felt it was important to begin discussion of these issues.