Brasília, 3/16/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The battle between doctors and private sector health plans continues today with 90% of such medical assistance at a standstill, mainly in the Northeast region and the state of Rio de Janeiro.

In Brazil, 38 million people have private sector health plans.

The dispute is centered on demands by doctors for higher fee payments. They point out that while the cost of health plans has risen 180% in the last nine years, doctor payments have not risen.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Health warns that if medical attention is refused health plans can be fined up to R$50,000 per incident. The ministry's supplementary health agency (ANS) was set up in 2000 to resolve problems with private sector health plans. In 2003, the ANS made it mandatory for health plans to have service contracts with hospitals, clinics and laboratories. The present dispute is due in part to the lack of such contracts between the plans and doctors. The ANS says it will be making those contracts mandatory in a short time, Anyone who has a health plan and cannot obtain medical attention can call the ANS at 0800-70-19-656 and register a complaint. (AB)