The Lula government obtained authorization from the Federal Audit Court (TCU) not to comply with the constitutional health minimum in 2023. The measure, which had already been approved by Congress and sanctioned by the president, was unanimously approved by the TCU plenary. The information is from the newspaper O Globo.
The decision was a relief for the economic team, which will not have to make an additional contribution of R$20 billion to meet the minimum wage. With this, the government avoids a greater blockage of expenses in the Budget.
During the validity of the spending ceiling, from 2017 to 2023, the Health and Education floors were the amounts spent in 2016 plus inflation for the period. With the approval of the new fiscal framework, which removed the spending ceiling, the old rules came back into effect.
The constitutional rule provides for the minimum allocation of 15% of net current revenue (RCL) for expenses in the area of Health, as well as 18% of net tax revenue for Education.
The government’s consultation with the TCU was carried out at the end of September. In October, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned the bill that allows the lower floor this year.
The calculation of the new Health floor was added to the Chamber by the rapporteur, deputy Zeca Dirceu (PT-PR), at the request of Planalto. With the end of the spending ceiling in August, after the approval of the fiscal framework, the constitutional minimum for health spending was once again set at 15% of net current revenues.
