In both urban and rural areas, respondents using public hospitals were poorer than those using private hospitals.
While most of those hospitalized at public facilities were able to pay out of savings or income, or by borrowing from
friends, family or employer, individuals using private facilities were more likely to sell land or other assets (rural areas)
and they were more likely to have to borrow money at interest (urban areas).
In India, national and state governments should invest in improving the quality and access of public first-referral
hospitals. This should be done selectively—focusing on rural areas and urban slum areas—to promote a more equitable
distribution of resources.