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View all search resultsBPJS Kesehatan removes subsidies for 7.3 million JKN policyholders
The government's removal of subsidies for millions of recipients, however, has drawn criticism from local authorities, who argue that many of the affected policyholders still deserve government assistance.
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An employee serves a customer at a Jakarta branch of the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan). (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
T
he Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) has cut full government subsidies for 7.3 million participants in the national health insurance program (JKN), with reports indicating that vulnerable groups from low-income households are among those affected.
BPJS Kesehatan President Director Ali Ghufron Mukti explained that the subsidy cuts were made because the affected policyholders were not listed in the Single National Social and Economic Data system (DTSEN).
Launched in February, the DTSEN aims to unify the government’s three main databases for social assistance: the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) system, the Social and Economic Registration (Regsosek) system and data for the Acceleration of Extreme Poverty Eradication (P3KE) system.
“Those who have lost their subsidies can remain JKN policyholders by paying the premiums out of pocket. In cities that have a universal health coverage system, they may also ask their local government to cover the cost,” Ali said on Tuesday, as reported by Antara.
The government's removal of subsidies for millions of recipients, however, has drawn criticism from local authorities, who argue that many of the affected policyholders still deserve government assistance.
“In Susukan District, Semarang, Central Java, there’s a single mother with two children who suffer from mental illnesses. Her children take medication daily and need to visit healthcare facilities at least once a month, yet the government removed their JKN subsidy,” said Semarang Social Affairs Agency head Istichomah, as reported by Kompas.id.
A similar situation was reported in Demak Regency, Central Java, where local authorities said many people who lost their JKN subsidies are low-income individuals with chronic illnesses who require monthly visits to healthcare facilities.
