The right to health: challenges revealed by the home care provision in supplementary health services

Authors

  • Kênia Lara Silva UFMG; Escola de Enfermagem
  • Roseni Rosângela Sena UFMG; Escola de Enfermagem
  • Laura Camargo Macruz Feuerwerker USP; Faculdade de Saúde Pública; Departamento de Prática de Saúde Pública
  • Caroline Gomes de Souza UFMG
  • Paloma Morais Silva UFMG; Escola de Enfermagem; Programa de pós-graduação em Enfermagem
  • Andreza Trevenzoli Rodrigues UFMG; Escola de Enfermagem; Programa de pós-graduação em Enfermagem; Núcleo de Pesquisa Ensino e Práticas de Enfermagem

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/sausoc.v22i3.76475

Abstract

This study analyzes home care in supplementary health programs from the right-to-health perspective. A qualitative case study was conducted in four health operationsoperators in the municipality of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State. Empirical data was collected via interviews with health operators and health providers offering home care services. The results were discussed according to three analytical criteria: provision of home care and challenges to the universal right to health; supplementary health relationship with the public health system and with families; and judicialization as a way of protecting the right to home care in supplementary health programs. Home care deregulation in supplementary health programs was exposed as a challenge to the right to health because this service provision is underhealth operators' control. These operators develop ways to avoid judicialization, such as providing home care services as an undisclosed benefit. The service disruption caused by the private operators' unilateral decisions and the transfer of responsibility to the public health system and families affronts the user's right to care that addresses specific health conditions. In conclusion, home care in supplementary health programs is permeated by tensions that highlight the need for urgent regulation.

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Published

2013-09-01

Issue

Section

Part II - Articles

How to Cite

The right to health: challenges revealed by the home care provision in supplementary health services. (2013). Saúde E Sociedade, 22(3), 773-784. https://doi.org/10.1590/sausoc.v22i3.76475