Options and political stream in the formulation of the Colombian health system (Bill 100)

This paper analyzes the formulation process of the Colombian health policy (1993). Qualitative research was applied upon secondary data grounded on the agenda and the politics process described by Kingdom (1995) and on Gramsci's (1978) analysis of the State and hegemony. It was concluded that most options followed Gaviria's hegemonic guidelines and that, even existing multiple debating scenarios, there had been little representation of counter-hegemonic sectors with possibility of changing the bill stream in its structural aspects. The process favored the participation of private companies in health management and rendering of services.

Health Policy; Social welfare; Colombia; Health services