[Public health financing by the Paraná State Government, Brazil, 1991-2006]

This study discusses public health financing by the State Government of Paraná, Brazil. Expenditures by the State Health Department were analyzed as a proxy for health expenditures by the State Government of Paraná from 1991 to 2006. Three criteria were used: (1) expenditures as a percentage of net revenue, in accordance with Constitutional Amendment no. 29; (2) expenditures as a percentage of total budget outlay; and (3) per capita health expenditures with the State's own resources. The findings showed distinct trends in expenditures during the period studied, the most recent being an expansion in spending of funds from the State treasury.