Financing of health and the fiscal dependency of Brazilian municipalities between 2004 and 2019

Abstract

This article describes the evolution of municipal financing of the Unified Health System, from 2004 to 2019, considering revenues and expenses from own and non-own sources, analyzes fiscal redistribution, according to population size and average household income, and compares this evolution in two periods, characterized as economic growth (2004-2014) and recession (2015-2019). The study was based on data from the Information System on Public Health Budgets. There was real growth in municipal spending on health from 2004 to 2014 (156.3%), with a drop between 2014 and 2015, followed by a recovery between 2015 and 2019. During the recession period, there was an overall increase in the fiscal dependence of municipalities, indicated by the increase in non-own revenues, even with the decrease in the Federal Government participation in transfers. The growth of own health expenses was lower among municipalities with lower household income, while for non-own expenses it was higher in municipalities with a smaller population size. In short, the results indicate a process of increasing municipal spending on health, as well as the increased fiscal dependence of municipalities to fund health, intensified after the 2015 crisis, which especially affected small and lower income municipalities.

Key words:
Health System Financing; Public Health; Fiscal Policy; Economic Recession; Brazil