Brazil Appoints New Rapporteur to Update Health Plan Regulations Amid Long-Standing Stalemate
Deputy Domingos Neto has been named the new rapporteur to revise Brazil's health plan regulations, seeking a balanced approach amid past setbacks.
- • Deputy Domingos Neto appointed as new rapporteur for health plan regulation project.
- • Previous rapporteur Duarte Jr.'s consumer-friendly proposal failed to gain support.
- • Project stalled for nearly two decades, aims at preventing unfair contract terminations and curbing price hikes.
- • Abramge supports Neto’s appointment, emphasizing constructive stakeholder dialogue.
- • No timeline set yet; discussions planned between Neto and Chamber President Hugo Motta.
Key details
On October 8, 2025, Brazilian Chamber of Deputies President Hugo Motta appointed Deputy Domingos Neto (PSD-CE) as the new rapporteur for the stalled health plan regulation project. Neto replaces Deputy Duarte Jr. (PSB-MA), whose consumer-friendly proposal faced internal and external resistance and failed to gain necessary support. The project, which has been stagnant for nearly two decades, aims to modernize rules governing health plans, including protections against unilateral contract termination except after 60 days of missed payments and measures to control excessive price hikes in collective plans.
Domingos Neto emphasized the importance of crafting a balanced regulatory framework that harmonizes consumer protections with the interests of the health sector. Although a specific timeline for revising the proposal has yet to be established, Neto plans to engage in discussions with President Motta to advance the text. The Brazilian Health Plan Association (Abramge) welcomed Neto's appointment, highlighting the need for constructive dialogue among stakeholders to improve regulations.
This renewed effort follows a wave of unilateral health plan cancellations in 2024, which prompted former Chamber President Arthur Lira to negotiate temporary protections for patients undergoing continuous treatment—a key concern in Duarte Jr.'s initial proposal. Neto aims to carefully navigate these complex issues to produce a satisfactory regulatory update for both consumers and the health industry in Brazil.