Private health insurers in Brazil have come under scrutiny from lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum, following reports that companies have been unilaterally revoking thousands of insurance contracts with patients who have chronic conditions. During a House public hearing, Congresswoman Maria Rosas of the Republican party criticized 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. However, recent reports suggest that some companies have been revoking policies without any explanation or warning, leaving patients without coverage and causing significant distress.
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 are responsible for policy cancellations. Instead, she argued that it is up to insurers to ensure that their policies meet the needs of all patients, regardless of their medical history or condition.
Lawmakers from both parties are calling for an investigation into these practices by a select committee. While Speaker Arthur Lira has not yet taken action on the motion, many believe that such an investigation is necessary to protect patient rights and prevent further abuses by private health insurers in Brazil.
