This opinion piece was written in 2014, when elections in India were underway. The national parties in India had issued manifestos outlining their visions for the future of health in India.

In this article, which appeared in BMJ, the ACCESS Health author Anju Aggarwal describes the importance of universal health coverage for the future of healthcare in India and the need for effective governance to achieve this long term goal.

By coordinating policies and providing strong regulatory oversight, central government can help states to implement and integrate healthcare financing and delivery initiatives effectively and efficiently