Debate in DPR's Commission IX with Health Minister and Social Affairs Minister Over BPJS PBI Meeting Agreement

A working meeting of DPR’s Commission IX with Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, was marked by debate. The commission’s leadership and members accused the ministers of not implementing the meeting agreement with the DPR regarding 11 million BPJS PBI participants.

The debate occurred after the Social Affairs Minister finished his presentation at the Commission IX meeting in the parliamentary complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (15/4/2026). Deputy Chair of Commission IX DPR Charles Honoris interrupted the meeting to question the agreement from 9 February 2026.

“Sorry, before we continue, why do I say this clarification is important at the start? So that we’re all on the same frequency. That means the meeting agreement made in Commission IX and with the DPR leadership on 9 February was not implemented,” said Charles Honoris.

Charles stated that, based on the meeting’s conclusions, the government should reactivate the 11 million BPJS PBI participants who had been deactivated so they could receive BPJS services.

“The meeting agreement was that the 11 million deactivated ones would still receive services for 3 months. Whereas from the presentation we just saw, initially only about 100 thousand were reactivated, those who are catastrophic patients and so on, now it’s about 2 million,” Charles said.

“That means there are still around 9 million people who cannot access services to this day. That’s it, more or less. So let’s get on the same frequency first,” he continued.

Health Minister Budi then responded that the 9 million not yet reactivated would still receive services. This provision aligns with the agreement with the DPR from February.

“Sir, if I may clarify your statement? So we’re on the same page. So, these 11 million, if they come to health services, they will be served. The Ministry of Health has issued a letter for these 11 million people, in accordance with the DPR agreement, if they are ill, come to the hospital, they will be served,” Budi replied.

“And they are asked to reactivate as soon as possible, the process of which has been facilitated by the Ministry of Social Affairs, with the assumption what? So that if they are indeed in decile 10, we ask for reactivation into independent PBPU. So, just to clarify that these 11 million are still served,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Social Affairs Minister then requested that the meeting agreement with the DPR from 9 February be opened. According to the minister, this was necessary to achieve understanding between the government and the DPR.

“So, to be on the same frequency, let’s open the agreement results with the DPR that I mentioned earlier, the other three. Let’s look at them one by one. Let’s open the agreement results so we’re on the same frequency. Our interpretations might differ. So it’s better to return to the written decision, the written agreement from that date, 9 February. Let’s open it together. If there’s no guideline later, it’ll be troublesome,” said Gus Ipul.

Commission IX Chair Felly Estelita Runtuwene then opened the conclusions from the 9 February meeting. The meeting conclusions stated that for the next 3 months, health services for the 11 million PBI participants would continue to be provided.

“Monday, 9 February 2026, the conclusion is that the DPR and government agree that for the next 3 months, all health services will continue to be provided and the PBI will be paid by the government. That’s our agreement between the DPR and government on the 9th,” said Felly.

Gus Ipul then said his side had implemented the meeting conclusions. According to him, the 11 million PBI recipients would still be served when ill.

“All services. So the 11 million, if sick, all services are open. If sick. If not sick, no need,” he said.

“Yes, sir. If not sick, why would they, they don’t want to,” Felly interjected.

Then, NasDem faction member of Commission IX DPR Irma Chaniago also spoke in the meeting. Irma assessed that Gus Ipul was twisting statements in his presentation.

“Leadership, sorry, Leadership. Sorry, Leadership. I think the Social Affairs Minister’s understanding needs to be cleared first. It’s clear in the agreement that it’s written all services. No need for words like if they suffer from catastrophic and so on. That’s what the government must do according to yesterday’s agreement. Don’t twist it around,” Irma said.

“I think this needs to be emphasised. This is for the people. Primary services are important for the people. It’s the mandate of the 1945 Constitution. The Health Minister too. Don’t keep twisting. Look at the agreement first. Then speak,” she continued.

Felly then mediated the debate between Commission IX DPR and the ministers. Felly asked the ministers to ensure that the 11 million BPJS PBI recipients continue to be served.

“Alright, thank you. So Mr Social Affairs Minister, this indeed ensures that people who want to go to the hospital who need services, yes. Those who don’t need, they’re afraid to go to the hospital, catch other viruses, sir. That’s first. Second, here ‘and the PBI is paid by the government’, meaning this PBI is still paid by the government for 3 months, the amount not specified here, paid by the government,” Felly explained.

Felly emphasised that they were reminding this because the situation in the field was different. “But this point, gentlemen, we must convey our field situation, many hospitals are not implementing this. And they complain to us as their representatives. So this is important,” she added.