This work analyses the main political aspects of transformations in the health systems of Chile and Brazil in the XX century, emphasizing the Chilean neo-liberal "modernizations" in the 80s under the Pinochet dictatorship, and, in the same decade, the Brazilian reforms during the democratic transition initiated after almost 20 years of military rule. Political development is pointed to as a relevant dimension in the explanation of the differences in policy-making and, thus, in the configuration of each health system. Last but not least, it is postulated that the historical legacy of each health institutional construct challenges changes both under democratic and authoritarian regimes.
Chile; Brazil; Comparative studies; Political system; Health policies; Health system reform
