Case AI 840928/SP

The State of São Paulo filed an interlocutory appeal against the decision of the lower court (Tribunal de Justicia del Estado de São Paulo) that recognized the Public Prosecutor’s Office as a legitimate party to bring civil actions to protect “unavailable individual interests.” The state argued that the decision contravened articles 129 (institutional functions of the Public Prosecutor) and 134 (role of the Public Legal Defense) of the Constitution. which ruled against the possibility of having the case move up to the Federal Supreme Court as an extraordinary appeal.

The Court ruled against the appeal, upholding the decision issued by the lower court. The Court observed that, in accordance to articles 129 and 134 of the Brazilian Constitution, the Public Prosecutor's Office is an institution created by the Constitution with legitimate authority to defend inalienable rights. It underscored that health is a fundamental social right protected by article 6 of the Constitution and the foundation of social security in Brazil (Article 194 of the Constitution), to be enjoyed by all individuals. The Court also emphasized that State has a duty to ensure and protect health through social and economic policies geared towards reducing disease and other hazards and providing universal access to it.

"...caput do art. 127 da mesma Constituição de 1988, a saber: “o Ministério Público é instituição permanente, essencial à função jurisdicional do Estado, incumbindo-lhe a defesa da ordem jurídica, do regime democrático e dos interesses sociais e individuais indisponíveis". Page 1

"...the last part of article 127, header, of the  Constitution of 1988, which states, “The Public Ministry is a permanent institution, essential to the State’s judicial role, and it is its duty to defend the judicial order, the democratic regime and the unalienable social and individual rights”" Page 1

"....a saúde humana é direito fundamental de natureza social (art. 6º da CF) e constitui um dos pilares da seguridade social brasileira (art. 194 da CF). Conforme dicção do art. 196 da Constituição Federal, cuida-se de “direito de todos e dever do Estado, garantido mediante políticas sociais e econômicas que visem à redução do risco de doença e de outros agravos e ao acesso universal e igualitário às ações e serviços para sua promoção, proteção e recuperação”. Page 1

"...human health is a fundamental right of a social nature (article 6 of the Federal Constitution) and constitutes one of the pillars of the Brazilian social security system (article 194 of the Federal Constitution). As stated in article 196 of the Federal Constitution, it is “a right granted to all and the State’s duty, guaranteed through social and economic policies that aim to reduce the risk of disease and other conditions and to allow the universal and equal access to the actions and services that provide for the promotion, protection and rehabilitation of its citizens.”" Page 1