JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has claimed that a solution to resolve the deficit of the Social Security Administration Agency for Health (BPJS Kesehatan) has been found. Without disclosing the details, Mr Widodo affirmed that the solution has been considered by Health Minister Dr Terawan Agus Putranto.
“The Health Minister presented [the solution] at yesterday’s (5/12) limited meeting,” said Mr Widodo after inspecting the Cilegon Regional Hospital, Banten as quoted by CNN Indonesia, Friday (6/12).
Last week Dr Putranto asked BPJS Kesehatan to control spending by limiting their services to basic services only. This measure aims to lower the agency’s deficit, aside from raising premiums.
“With limited money, spending must be limited too. Otherwise we would always suffer a deficit,” Dr Putranto said at that time.
This year, BPJS Kesehatan’s deficit is estimated to reach Rp 32.8 trillion without a premium increase. With a premium increase, the figure could be lowered to Rp 13.3 trillion. (MS)