Public Health Financing in the State of Rio de Janeiro: Reflections, Challenges, and Overview (2015-2018)

Abstract

Objective: To present the allocation of resources in public health in the State of Rio de Janeiro from 2015 to 2018, originating from the National Health Fund, and demonstrate the importance of understanding the management of public health resources. Methods: A quantitative descriptive study based on data extraction from the period 2015 to 2018 available on the National Health Fund (FNS) portal, as well as some regulatory instruments such as the Multiannual Plan (2016-2019), made available on the State Transparency Portal. Results: Based on the data extracted from the FNS, a total of R$22,002,986,283.17 was executed for health, with R$480,758,737.56 allocated to Pharmaceutical Assistance and R$4,428,294,397.74 to Primary Care, equivalent to 2.18% and 20.13%, respectively. In the Pharmaceutical Assistance scenario, the amount budgeted for the quadrennium was R$621,551,730.00, but R$571,802,443.20 was executed, corresponding to 92%. It is noteworthy that the Farmácia Popular program saw a decrease in the budget from R$5 million in 2015 to R$2.8 million in 2017. Conclusion: The study reinforces the relevance of the debate surrounding the financing of the Unified Health System (SUS) and the importance of understanding the challenges in the allocation of public health resources, aiming for active management and the consolidation of a universal and comprehensive SUS.