Brazil Chamber of Deputies approves hospital fine bill

The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has approved Bill PL 287/24, which introduces stricter oversight and financial penalties for hospitals. The legislation has now been sent to the President for sanction.

Under the new rules, private health institutions face fines ranging from R$5,000 to R$500,000 for failing to comply with quality standards established by Anvisa, the national health regulator. Some reports indicate the possibility of daily fines of R$5,000 that can be multiplied to reach the maximum ceiling. The penalties target failures in patient safety, emergency care, and compliance with regulations set by the National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS).

The bill also mandates periodic sanitary inspections for both public and private hospitals. These inspections aim to ensure adequate infrastructure, sufficient staffing, and the availability of essential supplies, particularly in critical areas such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Chamber President Hugo Motta noted that the measure is intended to prevent avoidable medical errors and improve the quality of care.