Sri Mulyani's Responses to BPJS Kesehatan Premium Hike
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30 October 2019 12:55 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani balked at commenting about the hike in the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) premium. She remained tight-lipped when reporters bombarded her questions about the increase of the insurance fee by 100 percent, Wednesday, Oct. 30.
“Bu [Sri], President Joko Widodo had signed the Presidential Regulation on the premium hike,” a journalist asked. Instead of providing an answer, Minister Sri was just smiling.
She then let other reporters bring up other topics, such as the correction of economic growth. In the middle of her explanation, the state treasurer was interrupted by a question about the premium hike again. Yet, she refused to comment.
The former managing director of World Bank resumed her statement on government regulation to strengthen the fiscal as to solve the correction of economic growth, which was predicted to be 5 percent.
After explaining the issue, Sri Mulyani directly walked toward her car and again ignored reporters’ questions in light of the premium hike.
President Joko Widodo or Jokowi had ratified the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 75/2019 on the amendment of Perpres No. 82/2018 on health insurance on October 24. The policy was publicized on October 28.
Based on the copy of the Perpres received by Tempo from the National Social Security Board (DJSN), the premium hike is valid for low-income participants or also known as contribution assistance recipients (PBI) and independent participants.
The policy stipulated that the PBI fee increased to Rp42,000 from initially 23,000 per month starting August 1, 2019.
Meanwhile, the premium for BPJS Kesehatan Class III participants would be Rp42,000 from Rp25,000; Class II at Rp110,000 from Rp51,000; and Class I at Rp160,000 from Rp80,000. The hike would take effect per January 1, 2020.
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA