Is it possible to have a strong SUS with 21% investment in Primary Care (APS)? The underfunding of the Brazilian APS

Abstract

This study presents a consolidation of the expenditure of all bodies of the Federation in Primary Health Care (APS) for Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS). It includes a picture of public spending on Public Health Actions and Services (ASPS) in 2017. The total public expenditures in PHC was 57.7 billion, which corresponds to 21.70% for the year 2017, with municipalities afford the largest share of this expenditure, reaching 61.18%, the federal government with 34.84% and the States and Federal District with 3.98%. In relation to total public spending on ASPS was 265.6 billion in 2017, the federal government represents 43%, States and Federal District with 25.7% and Municipalities with 32.10%. The results on spending on PHC in Brazil are lower than those found in other countries with similar economic development.