Brazil’s public health system gains international recognition
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In June 2025, American journalist Terrence McCoy received free medical care at a public hospital in Paraty, Brazil, after an accident, sparking discussion about healthcare access.
McCoy, a correspondent for The Washington Post, received x-rays, a CT scan, medication, and stitches without charge, a stark contrast to the healthcare system in his home country, the United States, where access often depends on insurance and ability to pay.
He noted that Brazil’s Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) is the key difference between the two nations. The HBO Max series The Pitt illustrates challenges within the American system, depicting patients struggling with medical debt and limited access due to insurance issues. One storyline followed a patient with $100,000 in medical debt who delayed treatment because of the cost.
In contrast, SUS operates on the principle that healthcare is a universal right, providing public care regardless of a person's financial situation. International organizations acknowledge SUS as a successful public policy. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines universal health coverage as ensuring access to necessary services without financial hardship, a principle SUS embodies.
The Commonwealth Fund, which compares health systems globally, describes SUS as a tax-funded universal coverage system and has documented improvements in Brazilian health indicators since its creation, including a drop in infant mortality from 52.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 12.5 in 2023. The World Bank also identified Brazil as an international reference for public health, and Bolivia implemented its own version of SUS in 2019, aiming to expand free, universal coverage.
