Public and private health expenditures in Brazil and selected countries

ABSTRACT The study sought to analyze the indicators of public and private spending in Brazil and selected countries from 2000 to 2014. Public domain databases from different sources obtained through the Internet were accessed. The indicators related to public health expenditures decreased or did not increase and those related to private spending remained stable. Brazil was the country with the lowest share of public health spending, differently from what occurred in countries with similar, universal and public health systems. The data showed that spending on private health is relevant in the family budget. These findings point to a reduction of the role of the State as provider and financier of public health actions and services. As a result of the austerity measures, a decline in health spending was perceived, for example, in the percentage of Gross Domestic Product devoted to health, stabilized or slightly decreased in European countries. In Brazil, with the implementation of the 'new fiscal regime', public health expenditures are expected to decline more, given the severity of the austerity policy.