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Synopsis India’s health care system is at a crossroads. Many Indians continue to suffer and die from preventable infections, undernutrition, and complications from pregnancy and childbirth the "unfinished agenda". At the same time, new health threats, such as the AIDS epidemic, are challenging the ability of the health system to respond. India’s health care system needs to build capacity to complete the unfinished agenda and to meet emerging demands. With the Indian government, the World Bank Assembled a study team of India’s internal and external development partners to analyze options for the future course of the health care system. Better Health Systems for India’s Poor: Findings, Analysis, and Options is the result. The report addresses two main questions: How can India meet the health care needs of its poor? How can the public and private health sectors be structured to better finance and deliver services? The book presents new empirical research, and maps out policy options for improving health outcomes for all Indians. The first section presents current conditions and policy options. The second section describes the theory and evidence to support the policy choices. Although addressing the specific needs of India, this report is relevant to any country interested in making its health systems more effective, equitable, and accountable.