DPR Urges Prioritisation of Patient Safety Amidst Deactivation of 11 Million PBI JKN Participants

Thu, 26 Feb 2026, 16:53 WIB | By indrastuti | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Social Policy

The policy update of the National Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN), which has resulted in the deactivation of approximately 11 million recipients of the PBI JKN (Health Insurance), has drawn criticism. Derta Rohidin, a member of Commission VIII of the DPR RI from the Golkar Party faction, expressed concern over the humanitarian impact, especially in the province of Bengkulu.

“Data updates are necessary to ensure that social assistance reaches the intended recipients. However, this process should not compromise the right to life of patients with chronic conditions who require regular treatment,” Derta said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday (February 27).

Commission VIII of the DPR RI noted that the policy, which refers to Social Minister Decree No. 3/HUK/2026, has caused unrest in the field. Several patients with kidney failure who undergo regular hemodialysis were reportedly only informed of their inactive membership status upon arrival at healthcare facilities.

In the city of Bengkulu, based on the results of a working visit and public feedback, the deactivation of the PBI JKN on January 1, 2026, is said to affect approximately 15,000 participants. Many residents were unaware that their membership had been terminated until they sought medical treatment.

“This is a serious obstacle for poor and vulnerable families who rely heavily on government assistance,” he stressed.

Derta also highlighted the issue of inconsistencies in administrative population data, which leads to discrepancies with the DTSEN. Technical errors, such as incorrect names or addresses, can have a significant impact on ordinary people.

Previously, Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf acknowledged the lack of socialization regarding the termination of the PBI JKN and stated that the government is providing a grace period for participants who wish to reactivate their membership. The Ministry of Social Affairs, together with BPS, is also conducting field verification, with the initial phase targeting more than 100,000 patients with catastrophic diseases and is expected to be completed in mid-March 2026.

However, Derta believes that this step is not enough. “For patients who need dialysis twice a week, waiting for verification is not an option. This concerns the safety of lives,” he said.

He recommended that the government and BPJS Kesehatan not stop services for chronic patients such as kidney failure, heart disease, cancer, or emergency conditions, even if their administrative status is still in the verification process. The central and regional governments must guarantee temporary funding.

Derta also requested that mass deactivations without notification be stopped. The list of prospective participants to be deactivated should be announced at the RT/RW or village/sub-district level, accompanied by a clear transition period. Data validation should involve social assistants and community leaders to reflect the actual conditions of residents.

At the regional level, district/city governments are encouraged to prepare emergency schemes through the APBD to temporarily cover affected residents who are in the process of reactivating their membership, as is being done by the Bengkulu City Government.

According to him, the update of the DTSEN is a mandate of Presidential Instruction No. 4 of 2025 to create accurate data. However, administrative accuracy should not lead to the neglect of poor people.

“We must not let people die simply because their status is inactive on paper. The safety of the people must be the highest law,” Derta concluded. (H-2)

Member of Commission IX of the DPR RI, Edy Wuryanto, affirmed that the sustainability of BPJS Kesehatan is important. However, an increase in BPJS Kesehatan premiums does not address the deficit problem.

The Indonesian Consumer Foundation emphasized that the increase in JKN premiums must take into account the public’s ability to pay and encourage the elimination of penalties.

The Coordinator of Advocacy for BPJS Watch, Timboel Siregar, said that the increase in BPJS Kesehatan premiums should not be applied to independent participants in classes 1, 2, and 3 or the middle class.

However, YLKI reminded that the policy of increasing premiums should not burden the public, especially in terms of the economic capacity of participants.

Member of Commission IX of the DPR RI, Irma Suryani, responded to the issue of increasing JKN program premiums.

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