This report on the status of Black Americans over 65 years of age is based on nine public forums and hearings held in major cities throughout the country in 1986. More than 100 witnesses testified, including senior citizens, professionals in the field of aging, elected officials, government administrators, and directors of service programs. Findings include the following: (1) older Blacks are the poorest of the poor among the elderly; (2) older Blacks suffer more intense health care problems than other Americans; (3) older Blacks have suffered from recent federal budgetary cuts; (4) older Blacks are more likely to inhabit unsuitable housing; (5) older Blacks are more likely to be the victims of crime; and (6) older Blacks are underrepresented in Older Americans Act and other service programs. Key recommendations include the following: (1) reform the Federal Supplemental Security Income standards; (2) establish a mandatory pension system; (3) resist further attempts to cut Medicare and Medicaid coverage; (4) encourage preventive medicine; (5) enact a universal, comprehensive national health insurance program; (6) develop a more balanced method of reducing the Federal deficit; (7) repeal the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Amendment; (8) provide additional housing units for the elderly; (9) combat crime with preventive techniques; and (10) encourage minority elderly to participate in programs of the Older Americans Act. (FMW)