This paper is a comment on Herbert Klarman's classic article on public intervention in financ¬ing health and medical services (Klarman HA. The case for public intervention in financing health and medical services. Med Care 1965;3:59-62.). He reminds us that Klarman's views on the need for governments to stimulate more efficient health systems and to pay particular attention to health-care access for the poor, are still valid today; in developed and developing countries; they are particularly relevant on this 30th anniversary of the Alma-Ata conference and the renewed focus on health for all. Most of the arguments aged very well and have been supported by empirical analysis. Some new issues and challenges have emerged.