Public spending on the private sector complementary to the SUS in the municipality of Natal/RN

Abstract

Introduction: The complementary participation of the private sector within the Unified Health System (SUS) is a challenge for public health managers, with increasing participation of private actors in the decision-making processes of organizations. This study observed the transfer of public resources to the private health sector in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, through the provision of health services contracted to the SUS, seeking to understand public spending on the provision of services to the population. Objective: To analyze the transfer of financial resources from the health of Natal/RN to the private sector, related to the provision of services to SUS users between the years 2019 to 2023. Methodology: For this purpose, financial data from contracts and agreements by health providers described in the Annual Management Report (AMR) of the Municipal Health Department of Natal/RN, between the years 2019 to 2023, were analyzed. Results: The AMR demonstrate the growth of 120% in public spending on private healthcare providers in the years studied, mainly from medical cooperatives. Conclusions: The importance of a critical and systematic analysis of public health spending is evident, especially in the relationship between the public and private sectors, to ensure the provision of quality services to the population and to strengthen Brazil's public and state health system.