[Decentralization of health services in Mexico in the 80's]

The objective of this article is to review the decentralization process that took place in the 1980s. First, some principles in relation to this topic are presented. Next, the legal foundations and the agreements which were established for Federation-states coordination are outlined, as well as basic points related to the introduction of the decentralization strategy. The favorable and unfavorable factors that affect the process are established and, finally, the possibility of carrying out decentralization of health services at the municipal level is briefly discussed.