The challenge of social integration in the MERCOSUR:: a discussion on citizenship and the right to health

This article discusses the guarantee of the right to health care and the exercise of citizenship in border areas between Brazil and the other MERCOSUR member countries, considering cross-border movement of persons and the demand on the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) by the population living along the borders. The goal is to debate the guarantee of the right to health, citizenship, free circulation of persons, and territoriality, since these issues correlate with the circulation of border-area populations in Brazilian municipalities. The article identifies the predominance of the economic dimension in the MERCOSUR. The analysis relates to national citizenship and territory when extending the right to health care to the cross-border population. The article also considers alternatives to the extension of such rights and the definition of public health care policies along the MERCOSUR border in order to meet the demand for services provided by the SUS.