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This paper analyzes the conduct of the federal primary health care politics in Brazil in the 2000's, seeking to identify elements of continuity and change in the previous period. The research was based on the theoretical framework of historical institutionalism and the concept of path dependence. The methodology included a variety of strategies: literature review, document analysis, analysis of secondary databases, budget analysis and interviews with key stakeholders of the policy. It was possible to identify continuities and changes in the conduct of national policy for federal primary care during the study period. The predominance of continuities, emphasizing the persistence of the Family Health Program as a hegemonic strategy for reorientation of primary care in the country, creates a condition of path-dependence. There were also incremental changes, such as initiatives to strengthen inter-sectoral coordination and important innovations, notably the creation of the Centers for Family Health Support. There are, however, structural problems within primary care, and it is important to overcome them to enable the effective change in the health care model in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]