Renan demands more federal resources for healthcare.
With the presence of the Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, and the Minister of Planning, Miram Belchior, the Federal Senate held its second thematic session. The discussion focused on the challenges and sources of funding for healthcare. The President of the Senate, Renan Calheiros (PMDB), demanded a permanent source of funding for the sector. He also stated that the approval of the bill allocating 10% of the Union's gross revenue to healthcare is urgent.
The Senate Agency "Brazilian public health is facing a dilemma. It doesn't take much to see how much the population has suffered with the health services offered in health centers, clinics, maternity wards, and hospitals. Almost all surveys point to health as one of the greatest national anxieties," said Renan Calheiros at the beginning of his speech.
Renan Calheiros pointed out that citizens often encounter poor service, long lines, and despair when seeking help at a hospital.
“There is a lack of consideration for human dignity, a lack of doctors, a lack of medicine, coverage is supposedly universal but the care is not comprehensive. We all know that this situation affects the poorest segment of the population in our country most painfully,” he stated.
Renan Calheiros demanded a permanent source of funding for the sector, which would lead to improved services. According to the Senate president, approval of the bill that allocates 10% of the Union's gross revenue to healthcare is urgent.
“There is a national outcry in favor of the popular initiative bill that establishes the allocation of 10% of the Union's gross revenue to the health sector. I believe this is, therefore, an opportune moment to reaffirm Parliament's commitments to society in order to advance an understanding that allows for the approval of this matter as quickly as possible and under an urgent procedure,” explained Renan.
Tax budget
The president of the Senate, Renan Calheiros, also expressed his support for the proposal to allocate 50% of mandatory budget amendments to healthcare. “Based on the discussions and analyses to be presented, we should determine the possible percentage, and ideally, an agreement should be reached between the Legislative and Executive branches, as this will avoid the possibility of litigation. That is why I am working towards reaching an agreement,” he explained.
Medical career
During his speech, Renan Calheiros also defended the creation of a state medical career path. This initiative is outlined in Constitutional Amendment Proposal 34/2011, which provides for the organization of physicians at the federal, state, district, and municipal levels, according to the organic law governing their organization and operation. According to the text, the activities of physicians will be considered essential to the functioning of the State. Therefore, public examinations for medical specialties will be mandatory at the federal level. The PEC is currently under analysis by the Senate's Constitution and Justice Committee.
More Doctors / Revalidation
The president of the Senate, Renan Calheiros (PMDB-AL), recalled that the thematic session is an important instrument to support the opinion of parliamentarians, who will face the voting on important matters in the area of health such as the Mais Médicos program and the Revalida exam.
“The goal of the More Doctors program is to train human resources in the medical field for the Unified Health System, especially in municipalities in the interior and on the outskirts of large cities. I have already had the opportunity to personally express my support for the program to President Dilma Rousseff. I congratulated her on her courage in confronting the problems of public health, which I know afflict us all,” Renan concluded.