Legalization of health: analyzing public hearing in the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court

Abstract

The Public Hearing on judicialization of health convened in 2009 by the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court aimed to facilitate the discussion of the various sectors involved in the search for legal solutions. This text aims to analyze this Public Hearing according to the theoretical framework of Nancy Fraser. It is noted the lack of lines on needs and the concentration of the discussion on three issues: drug dispensing, resource allocation and function and interconnection between the Three Powers. To Nancy Fraser, the political discourse on needs encompasses three phases: (i) establishment or denial of the political status of a need; (ii) interpretation of necessity and power to define and (iii) satisfaction of the need. Conclusively, it is seen that the importance of the debate on health care needs, including the aspect of judicialization, is not limited to legal, administrative or therapeutic aspects listed by Fraser, but it seeks to advance the definition and fulfillment of needs identified by the various social sectors.