Health problems have their own contours and governmental action for the development of public health policies, can be built from the contribution of various actors for decision-making. This study aimed to analyze how was the process of making decisions about investment priorities and perceptions of the various actors on the construction of health policy in Pernambuco state, Brazil. As a method, it is an exploratory cross-sectional study, using qualitative approaches to collect and analyze data. Eighteen actors conducting two focus groups with managers and members of the state board of health were interviewed. It concludes that in setting priorities for the future of health policy in Pernambuco, electoral aspects overcame technical issues and negotiation within the collegiate governance spaces SUS. The characteristics of the Brazilian federation and State apparatus formatting favor strengthening health-related election cycle guidelines on the government agenda and the development of public policies, postponing scientific evidence and other technical aspects for decision-making.
public health; health policy; agenda planning; health planning
