The implementation of the Brazilian health program for the homeless population – Consultório na Rua: obstacles and advantages
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-12902018170946Keywords:
Policy Implementation, Public Health, Homeless Population, Federative RelationshipAbstract
The paper’s main goal is to investigate the determinants of the adherence to a federal health program focused on homeless population – named Consultório na Rua – by eligible municipalities. Grounded on the contemporary literature of determinants of policy implementation, the exploratory and descriptive research employs official documents analysis, interviews with federal managers and a survey with local government managers, from the cities that joined the program and from the cities that didn’t. Through the perspective of the federal government, the research results suggest that the implementation of the program was positively influenced by the alignment with a larger public policy, which has more funds and priority from the government, in spite of the fiscal restrictions, since 2015, and the weaknesses of the federative pact. On the other hand, the empirical evidences of the local managers’ views demonstrate differences between these two groups of municipalities, however there are convergences towards the fact that favorable context, legacy of prior policies and aspects of competences and capacities of the local governments are determinants to the program adherence.