In recent months, there have been reports that private health insurers in Brazil have been canceling insurance contracts for patients with chronic conditions. This has sparked widespread concern among lawmakers from both the left and right, who are calling for a select committee to investigate the situation. Congresswoman Maria Rosas, a member of the Republican party, has been particularly vocal in her criticism of the federal private health regulator ANS, stating that it has been inadequate in addressing the issue.
According to Rosas, insurers have openly admitted to canceling plans for financial reasons, which is against the law. Currently, insurers are only allowed to cancel individual contracts in cases of fraud or default, while collective contracts can only be revoked by the employer or with prior notice. However, this has not stopped some companies from unilaterally canceling thousands of contracts without any justification.
In response to these unilateral cancellations, lawmakers have called for a hearings committee to investigate the situation. While Speaker Arthur Lira has yet to take action on the motion despite having its support from over 60 percent of the House, Congresswoman Rosas was supported in her efforts by São Paulo state lawmaker Andréa Werner, a member of the center-left Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB). Werner criticized health insurers for deciding that some patients are no longer of interest to them and highlighted the need for further investigation into these actions.
This growing concern over the practices of private health insurers has sparked widespread calls for increased oversight and accountability within the industry. As such, it remains to be seen whether Lira will ultimately take action on this matter or if further pressure will be needed from lawmakers before meaningful change can be achieved.
