摘要:The study aims to understand the perceptions of managers about the advances, barriers and challenges of the regionalization process. Qualitative study carried out through 40 in-depth interviews with managers of health regions in the states of Ceará, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, Minas Gerais and Tocantins, analyzed using the Iramuteq software. The first axis demonstrated the lack of funding, the difficulty and efforts to provide actions and services, as well as inequities in access. The second axis revealed the dynamics of the regional organization and functioning, which presents advances, especially in the modus operandi of the regional organization, which includes improvements in the organization and performance of the Regional Inter-Management Collegiate. However, it showed that it is necessary to continue investing in the construction of cooperative federative coordination for better organization and reduction of regional inequalities.