Priority Setting on the Path to UHC: Time for Stronger Institutions and Stronger Health Systems: Response to Recent Commentaries

In response to my editorial,1 I received to my surprise four thoughtful, critical, enthusiastic, and constructive comments and reflections. My original aim was modestly to suggest a Theory of Change (ToC) for translating economic evidence, from the Disease Control Priorities (DCP) projects and similar sources, to better priority setting within countries. Davis and Walker offer a more comprehensive alternative, putting the client at the center. They suggest developing “a ToC to support progressive institutional development to deliver on universal health coverage [UHC].”2 They argue that the desired outcomes must be locally sustainable, multi-functional, learning institutions and better governance of health systems for efficiency and equity.