By: Gavin Asadit )*
The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Finance, has taken strategic steps to strengthen access to healthcare services for all, especially the younger generation. The policy includes waiving arrears in contributions for eligible BPJS Kesehatan participants, as part of its commitment to strengthening social justice within the national health insurance system.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the government has allocated Rp 20 trillion in the 2026 State Budget to write off BPJS Kesehatan (Social Security Agency) premium arrears for low-income participants. He stated that this measure was taken to immediately address barriers to access to healthcare services due to arrears. He explained that the government views this program not merely as an administrative policy, but rather as a concrete manifestation of the state’s commitment to protecting all citizens without exception. Purbaya emphasized that the budget is ready, and the government will ensure that all mechanisms are transparent and efficient, reaching those who truly need it.
BPJS Kesehatan President Director Ali Ghufron Mukti added that this amnesty policy was designed with the principles of fairness and targeted attention. He explained that approximately 23 million participants are in arrears on their contributions, with a total arrears exceeding IDR 10 trillion. According to him, this amnesty will be focused on participants experiencing genuine economic hardship, particularly those who have transitioned from self-employed to government-funded participants but still have past arrears. He emphasized that the data validation process is key to ensuring the program’s effectiveness and avoids misuse.
The government explained that this amnesty policy will reach participants who are truly experiencing difficulties paying their contributions, including many young people who have just entered the workforce, have irregular incomes, or have transitioned from the informal to the formal sector. This program is implemented through a selective mechanism based on socioeconomic data verified through the National Socioeconomic Single Data (DTESEN). The government also emphasized that this amnesty scheme does not apply universally, but rather specifically to groups of people who are truly entitled to receive assistance, so that the principles of fairness and sustainability are maintained.
In terms of implementation, the government and BPJS Kesehatan are currently synchronizing data on delinquent participants to calculate the number and value of arrears that meet the criteria. Furthermore, the maximum period for arrears to be forgiven is being reviewed to avoid the risk of moral hazard. The government ensures that every participant receiving amnesty must go through a transparent and accountable verification process.
From the government’s perspective, this policy is not simply an administrative payment, but a strategic step to ensure that young people and vulnerable groups do not lose their right to healthcare due to economic factors. The government believes that the national health insurance system must be inclusive and fair to all levels of society, including young people struggling to build their careers and lives. By eliminating these arrears, it is hoped that no more young people will be turned away from healthcare facilities simply because of their inactive membership status.
The government is also paying close attention to the risks and challenges of implementing this program. The risk of a fiscal burden on the state, the potential for participants to deliberately default in the hope of being written off, and the possibility of budget leaks are key concerns. Therefore, cross-agency oversight will be strengthened, involving the Ministry of Finance, BPJS Kesehatan (Social Security Agency for Health), the Ministry of Social Affairs, and local governments. BPJS Kesehatan is being asked to evaluate regulations deemed irrelevant and strengthen its information technology system to support more accurate and rapid data verification processes.
For the younger generation, this policy has had a significant positive impact. Those who were previously inactive due to arrears now have the opportunity to become active participants again without the heavy administrative burden. The government is also encouraging young people to be more aware of the importance of social security and the responsibility of paying contributions on time. Through literacy campaigns and membership digitization, the government hopes that the younger generation will have easier access to health services and understand the full benefits of BPJS membership.
With this step, the government affirms its strong commitment to building a fair health insurance system. The waiver of BPJS Kesehatan (Social Security Agency) premium arrears is not merely a populist policy, but rather a concrete manifestation of the spirit of mutual cooperation and social justice for all Indonesians. The success of this program will depend heavily on data quality, inter-agency coordination, and strict oversight. However, one thing is certain: the government wants to ensure that no citizen, especially the younger generation, loses their right to healthcare simply because of the burden of past arrears.
This policy represents a crucial momentum for Indonesia to move forward together toward a more inclusive, efficient, and equitable national health insurance system. The government is optimistic that with synergy between the state, institutions, and the community, the goal of achieving health for all can soon be realized.
)* The author is an observer of social and community issues