In recent years, the Brazilian private health insurance industry has been under scrutiny due to reports of companies unilaterally revoking thousands of insurance contracts with patients who have chronic conditions. This has prompted lawmakers from both the left and right to call for a select committee to investigate these practices.
During a House public hearing, Congresswoman Maria Rosas of the Republican party was critical of the federal private health regulator ANS for not doing enough to address this issue. She pointed out that insurers have openly admitted to canceling plans for financial reasons, which is illegal under current legislation. Insurers are only allowed to revoke individual contracts in cases of fraud or default, and collective contracts can only be terminated by the employer or with prior notice.
Congresswoman Rosas was joined by São Paulo state lawmaker Andréa Werner, a member of the center-left Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), who also criticized the actions of health insurers. Ms. Werner stated that insurers have made the decision not to prioritize certain patients any longer, and she dismissed claims that providers were responsible for these cancellations.
Lawmakers from both sides agree that there needs to be an investigation into these practices and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The lack of action from Speaker Arthur Lira is concerning, as it could signal a lack of commitment to protecting patients’ rights. It remains to be seen what will happen next in this ongoing battle against unethical business practices in the Brazilian private health insurance industry.
