Chamber Committee discusses changes in the tax rate on imports of technological equipment that affect the health sector
Experts consulted by da stated this Tuesday (April 14, 2026) that the new tax rules on medical products increase the price of care and harm hospitals and patients.
According to the debaters, resolution 852 of 2026 of the (Executive Management Committee of the Chamber of Foreign Commerce) increased the tax on basic items and health equipment, which increases costs in the (Unified Health System) and in the private network. Here is the full document (PDF – 4.6 MB).
Published in February this year, the resolution on tax rates Import Tax of computer and telecommunications machines, equipment and products. The measure affects the healthcare sector because it includes equipment and components used by hospitals, clinics and laboratories.
The biggest impact should occur on more technological imported products, such as those used in imaging diagnosis, sterilization and hospital air conditioning.
For the representative of the (Brazilian Association of the High Technology Industry of Health Products), Felipe Contrera Novaes, the sector should not be used as a tax collection tool.
“It doesn’t make sense to have an increase in import taxes for things that you know you don’t produce in the country”, Novaes said.
Non-SUS Impacts
The legal consultant for the (National Association of Private Hospitals), Renato Nunes, explained that the increase in spending reaches the SUS through philanthropic hospitals. These entities purchase materials from national resellers who pay the tax – which increases the final cost.
“This becomes a cost and ends up directly impacting the SUS, given the relevant role of these entities”, said Nunes, highlighting that the scenario results in the service being burdened for the population.
Operating cost and transparency
The executive director of the (National Health Confederation), Genildo Lins, estimated that laboratories and hospitals will have expenses up to 11% higher. He criticized the lack of dialogue before the publication of the standard.
“The problem with the resolution was the process: there was no public hearing, the entities were not heard and there was no regulatory impact analysis”said Lins.
The vice-president of the (Brazilian Federation of Hospitals), Graccho Alvim Neto, said that the change mainly affects small and medium-sized units, which can cause delays in exams and surgeries.
Neto reinforces that the tax burden is not restricted to industry, it also affects patients and creates “legal uncertainty” that makes investment in the area difficult.
Access to technology
The deputy (PP-RS), author of the request for the hearing, informed that he requested a meeting with the vice-president of the Republic, to present the problems caused by the measure.
“What we are discussing is not just a tariff or trade balance issue; we are discussing the Brazilian population’s access to cutting-edge health technology”, defended the deputy.
It is tThis text was originally published by , on April 14, 2026. The content is free for republication, citing the source, and was adapted to the standard of Poder360.
