By Kusnandar & Co., Attorneys At Law – Jakarta, Indonesia
The
long queues of Yogyakarta residents waiting since early morning to reactivate
their BPJS Health Insurance under the Contribution Assistance Recipient (PBI) scheme
reveal more than just an administrative issue. This phenomenon reflects deeper
structural problems in public service delivery, data management, and social
protection policies that directly affect vulnerable communities.
At
the beginning of February, many residents were surprised to discover that their
BPJS PBI status had been deactivated following a government data update
process. As a result, hundreds of people flocked to the Public Service Mall in
Yogyakarta, hoping to restore their health insurance coverage. Some arrived
before office hours, standing in line for hours simply to secure a queue
number. Among them were elderly citizens, informal workers, and families who
rely heavily on BPJS for routine medical treatment.
The
government’s intention behind updating beneficiary data is, in principle,
commendable. Through the implementation of a unified national socio-economic
data system, authorities aim to ensure that social assistance programs are more
accurate and reach those who truly need them. In theory, such data cleansing is
essential to prevent mistargeting and budget inefficiency. However, the
implementation of this policy has exposed significant shortcomings,
particularly in communication and transition mechanisms.
For
many affected residents, the deactivation happened abruptly and without
sufficient prior notice. Some only realized their BPJS was no longer active
when they arrived at health facilities and were asked to pay medical costs out
of pocket. This situation is especially alarming considering that healthcare is
a basic necessity and, for low-income families, an unexpected medical expense
can be financially devastating.
The
long queues also highlight the population’s strong dependence on BPJS as a
primary gateway to healthcare. Many participants require regular treatment for
chronic illnesses or ongoing medical supervision. The temporary loss of
coverage does not merely cause inconvenience; it potentially disrupts treatment
continuity and places patients at serious health risk. For vulnerable groups
such as the elderly and people with disabilities, waiting for hours in crowded
service centers adds an additional physical and emotional burden.
Furthermore,
the situation reveals an inequality in administrative access. Not all citizens
have the same ability to take time off work or travel to service centers to
resolve bureaucratic issues. Informal workers may have to close their small
businesses for a day, while caregivers must leave family responsibilities
behind. Although the local government has introduced online services and
digital platforms to facilitate reactivation, many residents still prefer or
are forced to come in person due to limited digital literacy or incomplete
documentation.
To
its credit, the government has responded by allowing reactivation for
individuals with severe or catastrophic illnesses, ensuring that critical
patients do not lose access to healthcare. This step demonstrates policy
responsiveness. However, reactive measures alone are not enough. A more
proactive approach is needed to prevent similar situations in the future,
including clearer public communication, gradual implementation, and automatic
safeguards for vulnerable groups.
In
the end, the struggle of Yogyakarta residents lining up before dawn is not
merely about patience or perseverance. It is a reminder that well-intentioned
policies can produce unintended hardships when implementation overlooks human
realities. Ensuring that social protection systems are not only accurate on
paper but also accessible and humane in practice is crucial. Healthcare, as a
fundamental right, should never become collateral damage in the process of
administrative reform.
By : K&Co - February 10, 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment