Political parties offer differing approaches in their electoral programs on public-private partnerships (PPPs), with left-leaning parties advocating for the termination of such contracts and those on the right vouching for their efficiency.
Here are the main proposals on key issues.
AD (PSD/CDS-PP)
The AD proposes to renovate and increase the number of Family Health Units (USFs).
The coalition is focused on constructing and refurbishing Health Units with the support of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and investing in health equipment distributed across all Local Health Units (ULS) and Portuguese Oncology Institutes (IPO).
Their plan includes calling retired or private family doctors to provide primary health care and intends to create an oral health plan for the most disadvantaged Portuguese citizens.
Regarding digitalization, the proposal includes creating a National Health Data Ecosystem and implementing the Unique Electronic Health Record (RES_U).
PS
The Socialist Party’s health proposals focus on incorporating oral health into the SNS [National Health Service]’s basic care package, along with mental health. The PS aims to establish 350 dental offices throughout the country and develop a career path for dentists in the SNS with the help of the PRR.
In the mental health sector, the party intends to link 300 psychologists to the system by the end of 2026, integrating them into the career of senior health technician, and hiring more psychiatrists and child psychiatrists.
The PS electoral program also aims to allocate 2% of the 2026 State Budget (OE) for health to health promotion and disease prevention activities, with a 1% annual increase to reach 5% by 2029.
The PS also plans to evaluate the SNS structure and improve its governance to ensure transparency, reduce bureaucracy, and bring decision-making closer to health care delivery.
Chega
Chega supports more PPPs and proposes transforming the SNS into a National Health System, alongside a plan to impose penalties on medically assisted death and stabilize the position of doctors within the SNS.
The right-leaning party’s electoral program includes reformulating the Health Framework Law, introducing new management models and PPPs, and transforming the SNS into a system integrating both public and private sectors through formalized partnerships.
André Ventura’s program also includes repealing the law that regulates medically assisted death to impose penalties on such actions.
Additionally, Chega proposes a strategy to attract family doctors in less populated areas by offering specific salary benefits, reduced-cost housing, and travel subsidies.
Iniciativa Liberal
Iniciativa Liberal plans to establish Advanced Practice Nursing (EPA), a new Health Regulatory Entity, and a model allowing citizens to access health care from either the private or public sector, or through a shared management program.
The IL suggests creating a new independent regulatory entity with powers over competitive, clinical, and financial regulation, promoting transparency.
Iniciativa Liberal proposes a health access model encompassing family health (doctors, nurses, and technicians) and primary health care services, utilizing private, social, or shared management models, all while maintaining investment in the SNS.
The party underscores the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), stating that these can enhance public services if well negotiated and supervised.
The party aims to revive management contract models used during the troika era.
Bloco de Esquerda
The Bloco de Esquerda intends to revisit its 2024 program, focusing solely on publishing a manifesto for the 2025 legislative elections but maintains its goal to end PPPs, adjust the SNS budget to meet population needs, and review all health careers.
The 2024 legislative plan includes revoking the decree-law that opens doors to new Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the SNS and prohibits insurers and private entities from interrupting treatments for economic reasons.
The party aims to exempt the SNS from the Commitment Law and audit the prices and care standards in private health units.
The Bloco de Esquerda seeks to financially support health professionals for housing expenses and establish an exclusivity regime with a 40% salary increase and a 50% point enhancement for career progression, alongside reviewing careers within a year and raising all salaries by three pay scales, with a minimum increase of 150 euros.
PCP
The Portuguese Communist Party aims to increase the number of health professionals in the SNS, as well as their salaries, and reduce transfers from the SNS to the private sector to strengthen its funding.
The party has revived its 2024 program, publishing only a manifesto for the 2025 legislative elections.
The communists want to raise the base salary of health professionals and promote the option of exclusive dedication for doctors and nurses, offering a 50% increase in their base salary and a 25% increase in service time calculation.
The PCP also seeks to encourage the placement of health professionals in underserved areas through early retirement options and housing expense assistance.
The party advocates reducing transfers to the private sector from the SNS budget and internalizing services with full utilization of existing resources.
Livre
The Livre party aims to reform health professional careers, regulate the decriminalization of medically assisted death, and not renew existing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contracts.
Led by Rui Tavares, the party plans to end subcontracting of professionals through temporary employment agencies and create a clinical-investigator status to integrate clinical activity with scientific research.
The electoral plan also assures public management of health services by not renewing current PPPs, prioritizing stable work contracts over medical service provision.
The party aims to remove the mandatory three-day reflection period between health consultations and procedures, ensuring the right to Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy (IVG) across the nation, extending the deadline to 14 weeks.
The Livre party also intends to improve health care access for LGBTQIA+ individuals in the SNS and create a National Health Ambassadors Program, coordinated by the Directorate-General for Health in collaboration with health centers and local authorities, empowering women as change agents in their communities.
