Relevance. The basis of national legislation in the field of health care is the Constitution of the Russian Federation, in the norms of which it is determined that one of the main tasks of the Russian state is to protect people's health, create conditions for them to ensure a decent life and free human development, and provide affordable and high-quality medical care. As practice shows, the existing regulatory framework for the activities of medical organizations is insufficient to respond to the challenges that occur in our society. The aim of the study is to analyze the basic principles in the sphere of the functioning of the health care system, as reflected in the amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Research methods: a systematic review of amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, individual provisions, existing regulatory legal acts at the federal and regional levels, regulating legal relations in the field of health protection, was carried out. Results. The situation in the country has undergone changes since the adoption of the current Constitution of the Russian Federation in 1993. It became possible to apply legal norms governing the joint jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and the constituent entities of the Russian Federation of such subjects as ensuring the provision of affordable and high-quality medical care, maintaining and strengthening public health, creating conditions for a healthy lifestyle, and forming a culture of a responsible attitude of citizens to their health. The authors express their opinion on the understanding of the principle of a unified socially oriented state policy in the field of health care. Conclusions. Analyzing the above provisions, we can say with confidence that the health care sector receives an additional impetus for development with the adoption of amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation and focuses on the need to improve the regulatory and legal framework of the health care system.