# Law No. 3750 of April 11, 1960

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648752](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648752)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3750-of-april-11-1960

## Summary
Law No. 3750 of April 11, 1960, is a Brazilian statute that authorized the transformation of the Special Public Health Service into a foundation, restructuring public health administration. Enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek, it established legal frameworks for health services and fiscal adjustments, directly impacting Brazil's public health infrastructure. The law remains a key reference in Brazilian legislative history, particularly for its role in institutionalizing health policies.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** April 11, 1960
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Approved By:** President Juscelino Kubitschek
- **Legal Digest:** "Authorizes the Executive Branch to transform the Special Public Health Service into a Foundation, and provides other provisions"
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1960-04-11;3750`
- **Publication Date:** April 11, 1960 (Rio de Janeiro)
- **Applies To:** Federal health administration, municipal and state governments
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Related Entities:** Ministry of Health, National Public Health Foundation (FUNASA), Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT)
- **Key Provisions:** Transformation of the Special Public Health Service, fiscal adjustments, organizational restructuring
- **Legacy:** Enabled the creation of FUNASA (National Public Health Foundation) in 1961
- **Citation:** Lei nº 3750/1960
- **Online Access:** Published on the Planalto Government Portal

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 3750 of 1960?**  
This law authorized the transformation of Brazil's Special Public Health Service into a foundation, restructuring federal health administration and enabling subsequent public health initiatives.

**Who approved Law No. 3750?**  
The law was approved by President Juscelino Kubitschek, who signed it into effect on April 11, 1960, during his term from 1956 to 1961.

**What organizations were directly affected by this law?**  
The law primarily impacted the Ministry of Health and municipal/state governments, restructuring the Special Public Health Service into a foundation that later became FUNASA (National Public Health Foundation).

**How does this law relate to other Brazilian legislation?**  
It references the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) and aligns with Kubitschek's broader administrative reforms, contributing to the institutional framework for public health in Brazil.

**Is the full text of the law publicly accessible?**  
Yes, the law is published on the official Brazilian government portal (Planalto) and the LexML database, ensuring public access to its provisions.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3750 of 1960 is pivotal in Brazilian public health history, as it reorganized the Special Public Health Service into a foundation, laying the groundwork for modern health administration. This restructuring facilitated targeted health programs, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and directly led to the establishment of FUNASA in 1961. The law exemplifies Kubitschek's "50 Years of Progress in 5" agenda, which prioritized institutional modernization. By enabling flexible fiscal and organizational mechanisms, the law improved the government's capacity to address public health challenges, influencing subsequent health policies and contributing to Brazil's social infrastructure development.

## Notable For
- **Structural Reform:** First major legislative action to transform a federal health service into a foundation in Brazil.
- **Kubitschek's Legacy:** Key component of President Juscelino Kubitschek's administrative modernization program.
- **FUNASA Precursor:** Directly enabled the creation of the National Public Health Foundation (FUNASA) in 1961.
- **Fiscal Innovation:** Introduced special budgetary adjustments for health services, enhancing financial flexibility.
- **Interagency Coordination:** Strengthened collaboration between federal, state, and municipal health authorities.

## Body

### Historical Context and Enactment
Law No. 3750 was enacted on April 11, 1960, during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek (1956–1961), a period marked by rapid industrialization and institutional reforms under the "50 Years of Progress in 5" agenda. The law responded to growing demands for modernized public health infrastructure, particularly in rural regions. It was published in Rio de Janeiro, then the capital of Brazil, prior to the transition to Brasília on April 22, 1960.

### Key Provisions and Impact
The law's primary objective was to restructure the **Special Public Health Service** (Serviço Especial de Saúde Pública) into a foundation, granting it greater administrative and financial autonomy. This transformation aimed to improve the efficiency of public health programs, including disease prevention, sanitation, and medical care in underserved areas. Key provisions included:
- **Fiscal Adjustments:** Authorized special budgetary mechanisms to fund health initiatives.
- **Organizational Flexibility:** Enabled the new foundation to collaborate with state and municipal governments.
- **Legal Framework:** Established norms for the foundation's operation, aligning with the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT).

### Creation of FUNASA
Law No. 3750 directly facilitated the establishment of the **National Public Health Foundation (FUNASA)** in 1961. FUNASA became a critical agency for implementing health policies, focusing on indigenous communities, rural populations, and epidemic control. This institutional legacy underscores the law's role in shaping Brazil's 20th-century public health system.

### Political and Social Significance
The law reflected Kubitschek's developmentalist policies, which prioritized state-led modernization. By institutionalizing health services, the legislation supported broader goals of social stability and economic growth. It also reinforced the federal government's role in healthcare, setting precedents for later expansions of public health programs, including the Unified Health System (SUS) established in 1988.

### Legal and Administrative Structure
The law's enactment followed standard Brazilian legislative procedures, including approval by the National Congress and presidential promulgation. Its provisions were binding at the federal, state, and municipal levels, ensuring nationwide implementation. The use of the foundation model allowed for decentralized management, a novel approach at the time that balanced federal oversight with local responsiveness.

### Legacy and Contemporary Relevance
Law No. 3750 remains a reference in Brazilian health law, illustrating mid-20th-century efforts to institutionalize public services. Its emphasis on organizational flexibility and targeted funding mechanisms influenced subsequent health reforms. While later laws, such as the 1988 Constitution, expanded healthcare as a fundamental right, Law No. 3750 laid early groundwork for structured public health governance in Brazil. Today, it is studied as a milestone in the evolution of Brazil's health bureaucracy and its response to socio-economic challenges.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1960-04-11;3750)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3750&ano=1960&data=11/04/1960&ato=b6ac3Yq50dVRVT165)
3. LexML Brasil