ABSTRACT
The aim of this paper was to analyze the historical trajectory of the public/private formation of the Chilean Health System, between 1924 and 2005. The main reforms, key stakeholders and the socio-political context of these reforms were identified. Integrative literature review was used as data collection method. Among the findings, the structural reconversion of the system is emphasized, which until the middle of the 20th century was a pioneer system in Latin America, as it integrated several institutions in just one national entity, which directed the health policies on the Social Medicine principles. During and after the dictatorship, the system was consolidated as a dual system, in which the public sector, being the majority, grants health care coverage to segments of the population that are considered as ‘unprofitable’ by the private insurance companies. Another result was the continuity of this matrix even during the so-called center-left wing governments, which demonstrates how deep the transformations imposed by the dictatorship have been. To know the details of these privatizing strategies is useful and valuable for Brazil, given the current circumstances of reversal of the hard-won gains made.
KEYWORDS
Chile; Privatization; Health systems