Austerity and the future of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS): health in perspective

Abstract

This article proposes an analysis of the fiscal austerity measures of the Brazilian government and its unfolding in the public health system. It has examined the post-impeachment period of the president of Brazil and the changes of the social policies conduct in opposition to the principle of equity and universality in health with impacts on Brazilian sovereignty. It was a scientific essay on the perspective of the Unified Health System (SUS) and the policy development based on fiscal austerity that is taking place in the Brazilian political scenario, seeking to articulate a diagnosis of the impact of these actions on the structure of the country and the health rights. In this way, we conclude that the SUS is in imminent danger and that austerity policies in Brazil have denied the social gains achieved from previous governments, contributing to the discussion on health systems in the context of the neoliberal economic pressure and its impacts on lifestyles and access to the health services of the Brazilian people.

Towards comprehensive mental health care: experiences and challenges of psychosocial care in Brazil

“…Although the SUS has universal and comprehensive care as principles, Brazil still has difficulties in ensuring the right to health, especially because of high existing social inequality and low amounts of resources allocated to health services [ 14 , 45 ]. Strict fiscal austerity policies implemented in 2016 undermined the sustainability of the SUS [ 46 ], a situation aggravated by President Bolsonaro’s government, which aims to implement an ultraliberal agenda and dismantle public policies. This situation tends to weaken community MH and exacerbates obstacles identified in our study.…”

Democracy and Health: reflections and challenges before the 16th Brazilian National Health Conference

“…These measures show the return of the economic growth model of income concentration 9 . This model was experienced in Brazil during the civil-military dictatorship and resulted in the worse living and health conditions of the population 1 .…”

“…These mechanisms constitute public funding to the private sector, with total incapability of social participation bodies to control them. Aggravatingly, fiscal austerity policies influence Brazil to reduce investments in social protection and to reduce the State's development of public policies 9,19 . Recurrent contingencies on the annual budgets of the ministries of social areas are a proof of this.…”

Federal spending on social policies and the social determinants of health: where are we going?

“…Literature review studies evince that the choice for fiscal austerity policy at a time of economic crisis can impose disastrous consequences on the population health 41, 42 . That combination hinders the universal access to health services and threats the progress achieved in this field 43,44 . Additionally, it reduces the country's likelihood of achieving also the noncommunicable disease control goals 45 as those concerning the Sustainable Development Goals -Agenda 2030 46 .…”