By: Aurellia Syahputri )*
Commemorating the Youth Pledge, which is rooted in the history of the Indonesian nation’s struggle, is not only about unity in diversity, but also about a shared commitment to creating social justice for all people. In the modern context, this spirit is reflected through various government policies that favor the welfare of the people, one of which is through the BPJS Health premium waiver policy. This step is a real symbol of national mutual cooperation, where the state is present to ensure that no citizen is left behind in access to health services.
The government demonstrated its commitment by launching a policy of amnesty, or waiver, of outstanding contributions for eligible BPJS Kesehatan (Social Security Agency for Health) participants. This program is both a form of social protection and a long-term investment in Indonesia’s human development. With a funding allocation of IDR 20 trillion from the State Budget (APBN), this policy is primarily aimed at independent participants who have transitioned to Premium Assistance Recipients (PBI) or those whose contributions are covered by the government.
This step demonstrates the government’s commitment to the underprivileged. BPJS Kesehatan President Director Ali Ghufron Mukti explained that the amnesty program is aimed at participants who previously paid their own premiums but have since been categorized as those receiving payments from the central or regional governments. With this policy, participants with long-standing arrears can now be relieved of this burden and re-enroll in health insurance coverage.
This policy also refers to the National Social and Economic Single Data (DTSEN) as a basis for verification to ensure that only the poor and disadvantaged are eligible for benefits. This demonstrates that amnesty is not provided haphazardly, but through an accurate, data-driven approach. BPJS Kesehatan also sets a maximum limit of twenty-four months for arrears amnesty. This means that if a participant has arrears of more than two years, only the last two years will be forgiven. This provision ensures a balance between participant responsibility and state support.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the government is committed to supporting this policy by allocating Rp 20 trillion in the 2026 State Budget. This support demonstrates the country’s commitment to making health a development priority. The government views this funding allocation not as a fiscal burden, but as a social investment that will significantly benefit the community’s future productivity.
Health is the primary asset in developing superior human resources. With the introduction of premium relief, millions of people who were previously inactive in health insurance programs can regain coverage and access adequate medical services. This will undoubtedly have a direct impact on improving the quality of life, reducing poverty, and strengthening the nation’s social resilience.
This policy also has a deep moral dimension. It symbolizes that the state will not abandon its citizens struggling with economic hardship. By eliminating arrears, the government is giving people a second chance to reintegrate into the national healthcare system. More than just financial assistance, this amnesty reflects the spirit of empathy and social solidarity that have long been core values of the Indonesian nation.
In the spirit of commemorating the Youth Pledge, this amnesty policy can also be seen as a manifestation of the aspirations of Indonesian youth in 1928, who were determined to unite the nation under one spirit and purpose. While the youth once fought for independence, that spirit is now continued through the struggle for prosperity and social justice. The unity once achieved through political struggle is now realized through social policies that unite all elements of the nation within the national health insurance system.
Indonesia’s young generation, the successors to the nation’s struggle, will benefit from visionary policies like these. Equitable access to healthcare will support them in growing into a healthy, productive generation ready to compete globally. In this context, the BPJS Kesehatan (Social Security Agency) premium waiver policy not only helps the poor today but also ensures the sustainability of human development in the future.
This government action also demonstrates strong coordination and synergy between agencies. BPJS Kesehatan, as the implementing agency, and the Ministry of Finance, as the funding provider, are aligned with the same vision: ensuring health as a fundamental right for every citizen. This collaboration demonstrates solid, service-oriented governance, where policies are not merely drafted on paper but are actually implemented in concrete actions.
The BPJS Kesehatan (Social Security Agency) contribution waiver is a modern manifestation of the spirit of mutual cooperation inherited from the nation’s founders. Through this policy, the strong help the weak, the wealthy share the burden of the less fortunate, and the state becomes the primary guarantor of its people’s well-being. With this principle of togetherness, Indonesia demonstrates that development is measured not only by economic growth but also by the extent to which its people are protected and prosperous.
This policy also reflects the direction of people-centered development. Amidst various global economic challenges, the government continues to prioritize public health. This aligns with the broader national development agenda of creating superior, competitive, and highly motivated human resources.
This step demonstrates a strong commitment to fulfilling the constitutional mandate that every citizen has the right to healthcare. The synergy between the two is a concrete example of how public policy can be designed with care and implemented responsibly.
The BPJS Kesehatan (Social Security Agency) fee waiver is not merely an administrative measure, but a symbol of the state’s presence in times of need. It embodies the spirit of the Youth Pledge in the modern context of unity in action, mutual cooperation in policy, and solidarity in prosperity. This step demonstrates that the ideals of youth are alive and well in every policy that favors the people.
With this policy, Indonesia is not only building a robust healthcare system but also strengthening the nation’s character as caring, inclusive, and socially just. Indeed, a great nation is not only one that is prosperous, but also one that ensures every citizen can live a healthy and dignified life.
)* The author is a Jakarta student living in Bandung
