Government drafts new bill on health care system<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government is drafting a bill that will
\nassist implementation of a national system to cover health care
\ncosts for all levels of society.<\/p>\n
Under the system, initiated in 1996, people will subscribe to
\na particular low cost health plan which guarantees them continued
\nhealth care.<\/p>\n
\"It is like health insurance, only better,\" Widyastuti
\nWibisana, director for Managed Care at the Directorate General
\nfor Community Health, said here on Monday.<\/p>\n
Widyastuti said the system will offer different programs with
\npayments varying from Rp 1,200 to Rp 120,000 per month per
\nperson.<\/p>\n
\"We are aware that the rich will prefer more luxurious
\ntreatment, that's why we offer various programs,\" Widyastuti
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
However, people who subscribe to the minimum cost plan are
\nguaranteed equal quality health service, Widyastuti said.<\/p>\n
The system will be managed by an agency licensed by the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Widyastuti said the system is already popular here. Currently
\nthere are 21 health management agencies operating in Jakarta,
\nWest and East Java, and Riau.<\/p>\n
According to Widyastuti there are 354 awaiting approval from
\nthe ministry.<\/p>\n
Once enrolled, subscribers to the plan no longer have to worry
\nabout potential health costs, because everything, including
\ndoctor fees, prescriptions and hospital bills, will automatically
\nbe covered.<\/p>\n
The system, despite getting little publicity is already very
\npopular. Widyastuti estimates some 15.1 percent of the population
\nis enrolled.<\/p>\n
In a regular insurance system, Widyastuti argued, doctors are
\nnot encouraged to maintain the policy holder's health as the
\ninsurance company pays the costs of client treatment each time he
\nis ill.<\/p>\n
But under the new system, she said, \"doctors are urged to
\nmaintain their clients' health because doctors will have to pay
\nfor client treatment because they have been paid in advance.\"<\/p>\n
Widyastuti said that the system would use a family doctor care
\nsystem to ensure doctors keep good records of their patients'
\nmedical histories.<\/p>\n
She also said that the system will help curb quack doctors who
\nextol money by having patients undergo unnecessary tests.<\/p>\n
Widyastuti said there would not be preliminary health check-
\nups for anyone wishing to join the program.<\/p>\n
However, she suggested people join in groups so the healthy
\ncan subsidize those who were sick.(08)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-drafts-new-bill-on-health-care-system-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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