The article discusses the public-private relationship in ambulatory care of medium and high complexity within SUS, in the region of Baixada Cuiabana (MT). In Brazil, the overlapping between public and private sectors in the health system and its consequences are complex and still poorly studied. This is a quantitative and descriptive study, based on secondary data from the SUS Information Systems, concerning structure, production and costs of the aforementioned assistance. The results indicate that the number of establishments, production and volume of resources are concentrated in Cuiabá, and the private/philanthropic sector is the main provider. Such fact may suggest that this sector holds political power over SUS, both in contract negotiation and in the provision of better remunerated ambulatory services.
unified health system; health services; ambulatory care
