DOURADO, Daniel de Araujo. Regionalization and health federalism in Brazil. 2010. 182 leaves. Dissertation (Master's degree) -School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 2010. This study aims to examine the implications of Brazilian federal structure in the regionalization process of healthcare services of the national health system (Sistema Único de Saúde -SUS). The core idea is that, by its federal nature, the regional health planning in Brazil must take place in context of

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... vernmental relations founded on the institutional configuration of cooperative federalism in the country and on its expression in health. The method includes the use of bibliographic material and incorporation of empirical research components. The analysis is based on a diachronic approach, taking federalism as an organizing principle of State which is manifested in its various dimensions. Therefore, the phenomenon of federalism is studied in terms of its evolution in time and, so concatenated, starting with its general aspects towards specific ones which are expressed in the Brazilian State and particularly in health. The Brazilian health federalism is approached from its entry into the constitutional order, with two clearly defined development periods: decentralization and regionalization. Empirical elements are added from a study in which health regionalization is characterized from ideas expressed by political actors representing the perspectives of three levels of government. The conditioning factors of SUS' regional health planning are then explored in light of the federalism theoretical framework taking three dimensions of analysis: normative basis, funding structure and political dynamics. Thus, facilitators and barriers to regional health planning are identified and opportunities for actualizing this organizational guideline in SUS are indicated. It is concluded that health regionalization in Brazil is supported by well-defined regulatory framework, proceeding from assimilation of cooperative federalism principles in Brazilian health law, and that it has obstacles derived from the federal model of financing and related to the operation of intergovernmental relations established in SUS.