The Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj), filed this Tuesday (24) a procedural appeal against the preliminary decision of the Court of Justice of Rio (TJRJ) to temporarily suspend the work of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) intended to investigate complaints of irregularities in health plans for people with disabilities.
The president of Alerj, deputy Rodrigo Bacellar (União), and the parliamentarians who make up the CPI positioned themselves against the TJRJ injunction issued by judge Cintia Santarém Cardinali, last Thursday (19).
Congressman Fred Pacheco (PMN), president of the CPI, stated that court decisions must be complied with, but thanked the Attorney General’s Office of Alerj for taking all legal action against the decision.
The parliamentarian praised President Bacellar for having authorized the installation of the commission, which is the first in the history of Brazil to investigate health plans for people with disabilities.
“I consider the court’s decision to be immoral. We need to look at those who need it most. These mothers and fathers are suffering. These plans are rich, very powerful and hire brilliant lawyers, but they cannot win this way: unilaterally. Now, after four attempts with court orders, they have managed to suspend the decision with an injunction. We were making great progress in finding solutions for atypical mothers and fathers, who are having their contracts unilaterally canceled, which leads to the interruption of treatment for sons and daughters who may even die,” Pacheco assessed.
The preliminary decision by Judge Cintia Cardinali, of the Special Body of the TJRJ, suspends the CPI until the body’s collegiate judges the merits of the writ of mandamus filed by the Brazilian Association of Health Plans (Abramge). The judge’s preliminary injunction is based on possible irreparable damage to the image of health plan companies.
Bacellar stated that the goal of the Alerj is not to tarnish the image of brokerage firms, but to reach a good agreement and help atypical mothers and fathers. “We knew that it was not an easy task to deal with those who deal with exorbitant profits, such as health plans in Brazil. But we will not lower our heads. Court decisions are respected and questioned within the legal limits, with appeal. We will continue working, trying to help others. I am sure that soon we will be able to reverse this decision and continue acting in favor of people who are in great need,” he explained in the plenary.
The CPI was created by a resolution of the Rio de Janeiro Parliament. Installed in June of this year, the commission has already held six meetings, hearing from various entities that represent health plans, as well as parents and guardians of people with disabilities.
Vice-president of the CPI, Congresswoman Carla Machado (PT) said that the group’s members continue to be available to families of people with disabilities. “Thousands of atypical children do not receive the care they deserve. Mothers often cannot even make a diagnosis. Many homes are left unbalanced because, no matter how much they love them, they have no way to help, no way to ask for help, whether in education, health, or well-being. In short, it is a real disregard,” criticized the parliamentarian.
