Deliberative democracy:

the applicability of the principle of participation in the Unified Health System

Abstract

Considering the legal configuration of access to health through the Unified Health System (SUS), the principle of social participation within the SUS stands out in this work, intrinsically connected with the exercise of democracy. Therefore, the question arises: has this instruction been carried out effectively, considering social control in the Public Administration of Health Law and the mechanisms of popular participation concerning the Unified Health System? The research hypothesis is that the exercise of popular participation in the SUS has been mitigated, and that the application of deliberative democracy could help make it more efficient. Based on the question posed, the general objective of the research is to verify whether deliberative democracy has been effective in the participation and implementation of the various facets of the Right to Health. The specific objectives are (a) to discuss the democratization of public health policies and the principle popular participation in the SUS; (b) observe social control within the scope of the SUS and participation mechanisms; and (c) discuss deliberative democracy as a means of attributing effectiveness to the right to health within the scope of public administration. The research methodology adopted was the deductive method, carrying out exploratory and bibliographical research. It was concluded that the deliberative exercise is hampered by a patrimonial culture and the lack of interest in collective issues, intensified by the influence of private interests on state actions, making it necessary to mitigate such factors to increase deliberative democracy in the Unified Health System.