The consolidation of private health plans in Brazil: Challenges for the regulator

Abstract

The effects of the financial consolidation of Brazil's private health plan market warrants investigation, as this trend could enhance the power of large plans and affect the financing of the National Health System. From the stand-point of the political economics of this sector, while reflecting on the features of this consolidation, this paper discusses whether this more powerful market clout might require the State to adopt a more active stance, especially if it wishes to enforce the normative principles of the National Supplementary Health Regulator in order to protect consumers, ensure regulated competition and defend the public interest.