Congress approves bill that expands specialized care in the SUS (Brazilian public healthcare system).

Luciano Nascimento - Reporter for Agência Brasil

With 64 votes in favor and none against, senators approved this Wednesday (24) Provisional Measure (MP) 1301/25, which creates the Now There Are Experts Program. The text had already been voted on in the Chamber of Deputies and would have to be voted on in the Senate by Friday (26), otherwise the MP would lose its validity.

The text now goes to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for approval.

Announced in July, the program aims to increase the number of specialist doctors in the regions most in need of these professionals and reduce waiting times for specialized care in the Unified Health System (SUS), by offering private providers in exchange for a reduction in federal taxes.

The estimated tax revenue loss will be R$ 2 billion per year starting in 2026. Although the procedures can be carried out as early as this year, deductions from taxes payable or owed will begin in 2026.

According to the text, the "Agora Tem Especialistas" program will run until December 31, 2030. In total, the program will offer 1.778 positions, with 635 for immediate start. Activities will begin on September 15.

Initially, there are 239 openings for professionals who already have some type of specialization in the Northeast Region; 146 in the North Region; 168 in the Southeast; and 37 in the South. In addition, 1.143 positions will be offered for a reserve list.

Concerns about the distribution of medical specialists in the country motivated the government to create the program.

Data from the Ministry of Health shows that most specialists are concentrated in just three states: the Federal District, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.

Across the country, there are 244.141 general practitioners (40,9%), while specialists number 353.287 (59,1%), but they do not work in more remote regions and are still mostly concentrated in the private sector.

According to the rules, the hired specialists will work in units such as polyclinics, specialized laboratories, and others. In addition, they will provide four hours of educational activities, which may include remote or in-person mentoring or immersion programs.

The proposal also allows specialized care to be carried out, in whole or in part, via telemedicine.