Evolução da regulação brasileira de telessaúde: do Programa Nacional de Telessaúde ao SUS Digital

This article analyzes the evolution of telehealth regulation in Brazil, with emphasis on its integration into public policies through the SUS Digital Program, an initiative coordinated by the Secretariat of Information and Digital Health of the Ministry of Health. It is a narrative review based on normative analysis of legal and regulator y instruments, including laws, decrees, ministerial ordinances, and resolutions issued by professional health councils. The study organizes the trajectory of telehealth into three major phases: pilot initiatives and initial legal frameworks; progressive institutionalization supported by ministerial programs; and regulatory consolidation with Law No. 14,510/2022, which authorizes the permanent practice of telehealth. It argues that the COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for normative and operational changes, enabling the expanded use of telehealth across all levels of care. The findings align with previous research highlighting the role of telehealth in expanding access and improving quality of care, particularly in remote regions. The creation of the Secretariat of Information and Digital Health and the launch of the SUS Digital Program mark a new phase in which telehealth is embedded within a broader strategy for the digital transformation of the Brazilian Public Health System. The data support studies that emphasize the need for coordinated actions, ongoing investment in infrastructure, professional training, and digital governance. The evidence suggests that the advancement of telehealth legislation is consistent with international guidelines and may contribute to greater equity in healthcare delivery.