Artigo



Dados vol. 25 n. 1 Rio de Janeiro 1982

Os Custos da Assistência Médica e a Crise Financeira da Previdência Social

Rezende, Fernando; Castanhar, José Cesar; Diaz, Edgar Acosta

Resumo

A current argument in favor of having Brazil's social welfare system's medical care services transferred to the private sector are the supposedly lower costs of services provided by private as opposed to public hospitals. This paper analyzes data on medical care costs in private hospitals as well as in public facilities attached to the National Institute for Medical Assistance and Social Welfare (INAMPS). It argues that while privatization may result in reduced costs in the short run, it may also lead to undesirable long term consequences. Depending on remuneration levels adopted by the private sector, such a policy might stimulate a disproportionate increase in the average costs of hospitalization, thereby worsening the social welfare system's financial situation. In addition, institutional changes associated with the privatization of medical care, such as a predictable increase in the number of service contracts celebrated between INAMPS and private firms, are likely to direct most benefits to the better-off segments of society, further widening inequalities of access to medical assistance services.

Texto completo

Os Custos da Assistência Médica e a Crise Financeira da Previdência Social