The Government's Reason For BPJS Health Participation As A Public Service Requirement: Not Forcing, But Aware Of This Obligation

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government through the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK) said that the state had a good goal in designing the BPJS Health membership scheme to become a mandatory requirement for public services.

Deputy for the Coordination of Social Welfare Improvement Kemenko PMK Andie Megantara said the latest regulations released by the government further emphasized that BPJS Kesehatan plays a strategic role in social life.

“The first thing that needs to be said is that the government's intention is not to force it, but to remind the public that BPJS Kesehatan is mandatory. This means that here we want to raise awareness,” he said through a virtual channel on Thursday, February 24.

According to Andie, the government itself has prepared a policy cushion to protect the lower classes to ensure that all people can participate in this program.

"Secondly, BPJS Health membership for the poor or incapable is indeed financed by the state through PBI (Contribution Assistance Recipients)," he said.

Andie added that this regulation actually aims to attract more people with established economic status so that the principles in BPJS Health can be achieved.

"For those who can afford it, they are indeed required to start entering and registering at BPJS Health in order to help this program in the principle of gotong royong. So I don't think this is a problem, the government also has budget allocations for the poor who are PBI participants," he explained.

Furthermore, Andie also revealed that during the transition process, people will still be able to get public services if they have not become participants. However, the tolerance room is only given if the person concerned immediately registers for BPJS Health.

"Because the intention is to make people aware, then later it will not suddenly be unable to be served. You can still get public services, but there is a warning 1, warning 2. So, if you are stubborn, we will give strict sanctions. As long as there is room for tolerance, I think this scheme can be implemented," he said.

For information, the requirements for BPJS Health participation to obtain public services are stated in Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 1 of 2022.

In this regulation, the government mandates 30 ministries/agencies including governors, regents, mayors to require JKN-KIS in various public service needs.

Meanwhile, some of the public services in question are buying and selling land, applying for a SIM, STNK, and SKCK, registration for Hajj and Umrah. Then, applying for people's business credit (KUR), applying for business permits, farmers receiving the ministry's program, and fishermen receiving the ministry's program.