This paper argues that the regionalization of health care in the Federative Republic of Brazil requires the deepening of territorial approach in public policies and the contextualization of sectorial interventions in local development initiatives. Analyzing the regionalization strategy in recent history, in its political objectives, the article identifies aspects of the federative nature of public management in Brazil and concepts of territory and networks as political processes, which may contribute to understanding of the scenario where regional responses to local problems are formulated. Building homogeneous networks of services all over the country is questioned as the best answer, in favor of a territorial planning -participatory and guided by public interest -oriented by the understanding of the health-disease process and the health situation to be achieved in each place.

Decentralization of governmental action in Brazil in the 90s: challenges of the political-institutional environmentA descentralização da ação governamental no Brasil dos anos noventa: desafios do ambiente político-institucional

Examining some issues and challenges for ensuring the universal right to healthcare in Brazil, this paper explores the findings of a government project conducted in 2003 to broaden the approach to healthcare problems in Brazil, based on dialogs between government and society that supplement institutionalized approaches to social participation in healthcare management. Starting with an overview of the complex international backdrop against which government actions take place for implementing social rights, this paper highlights three issues among the problems listed that are rated as crucial for drawing up public policies: integrity and dignity as pillars for the organization and regulation of public interventions; recognition and respect for difference as a condition for achieving the right to healthcare; and territorialization of problems and policies for the production of responses to new realities. Finally, it lists some aspects that challenge Brazilian government and society in their efforts to guarantee the right to healthcare, affirming the timeliness of the steps taken by the government administration, moving steadily ahead towards effective universal access to this right through an appreciation of aspects related to human rights and citizenship.

This article is a conceptual essay aimed at supporting analyses of the regionalization processes implemented in