Performance-Based Intergovernmental Transfers: Brazil’s Family Health Program and Argentina’s Plan Nacer Program

This presentation was developed and given by Jerry La Forgia (with input from Rena Eichler and Cristian Baeza) for the March 2010 Human Development Governance Workshop in Bangkok.
 
It includes information on design options, lessons learned, and results in performance-based intergovernmental transfers in Brazil and Argentina.

 
Both programs have altered the ways that health systems are functioning:

• - For the first time in Argentina and Brazil’s public health sector, national financial transfers to the states and municipalities are linked to verifiable results.
   
• - For the first time, in Argentina financing of public providers is done on the basis of delivery of services to eligible population. In Brazil, financing is based on number of enrollees, and more recently, is reaching performance benchmarks.
   
• - New output and outcome data is beginning to serve as basis for strategy and planning at federal, state and municipal level.