Brazil to dismantle universal healthcare system

 31-Aug-16, International Medical Travel Journal

In the face of economic, political, healthcare and legal crises, Brazil has plans to replace universal healthcare with compulsory insurance.

Image: IMTJ

Since 1988, the Brazilian constitution has affirmed access to public healthcare as the right of every citizen. The resulting healthcare system is one of the most inclusive in the world. 

The government wants to bring in compulsory health insurance as in the USA — a move that opponents say will deepen inequality by reserving access to care for the elite. The government proposes to completely remove the current obligation of federal and municipal governments to dedicate a specified amount of funding for healthcare.

The proposed cuts to Brazil's universal healthcare system could have catastrophic effects both for the 19.2 million Brazilians living under USD3.10 per day, and also for the rapidly expanding middle class who rely on the public system for healthcare.

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