This article deals with issues concerning the poor capability of governments in planning and implementing public policies and considers particularly some cases of government management inside state departments of health, according to their own managers. It is also an organizational case study of 12 state departments of health with intricate levels of analysis. The study adopted the 'content analysis' method, considering statements of public managers of the healthcare sector in which they pointed out their managerial ways and practices, as well as their policy-making, decision-making, and program implementation processes. The main subjects highlighted by the reports refer to the characteristics of both managers and management within the state government. They also indicate some difficulties and gaps in policy-making processes, in the use of planning and programming technologies, in the configuration of strategic management systems, and in the implementation of public healthcare policies. On the other hand there have been investments to improve management qualification, as well as a gradual increase in the capability of state governments in carrying out and implementing their policies.
health management; healthcare policy; healthcare planning and management; state government; support systems for management decision making; organizational case studies
