The Brasilian health reform: A victory over the neoliberal model

Authors

  • Amelia Cohn Federal University of Rio de Janeiro; De Santos Catholic University

Abstract

This paper sketches the panorama of changes resulting from the Health System Reforms initiated in Brazil since the mid-seventies, exploring the political and structural limitations of the process, the social and political strategies used, and current proposals for reorganizing Brazil’s “Unified Health System” (known as the SUS). The SUS is one of the world’s largest public health systems. The central theme of this analysis and presentation is that the Brazilian Health System Reform is a Latin American example of an alternative health project, democratic and universal, based on the premises of Social Security, that its implementation was feasible, and, once implemented, resistant to obstruction by conservative neoliberal forces.

Author Biography

Amelia Cohn, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro; De Santos Catholic University

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, visiting professor; De Santos Catholic University, professor, MA Program on Collective Health Rua dos Franceses, 498 ap. 211F / Bela Vista San Paulo – SP – Brasil / CEP 01329-900 Tel/Fax: 0055-11-3284-57-15 e-mail: amelcohn@uol.com.br

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Published

2008-07-08

Issue

Section

Special Section: Progressive Health Reforms in Latin America