Health Minister Defends BPJS Health Insurance Contribution Increase Amid Deficits
The Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, stated that the increase in contributions to the Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) should not significantly affect middle- and upper-income individuals. He also made a pointed remark about smokers, suggesting that they are capable of spending more than Rp 42,000 per month.
“For middle- and upper-income individuals, Rp 42,000 should be manageable. Men spend more than Rp 42,000 a month on cigarettes,” Budi said when met at the Ministry of Health in South Jakarta on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
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Budi said that the increase in BPJS contributions should not affect the expenditure of low-income people. “If the tariffs are increased, it will not affect the poorest 1st to 5th deciles,” he said.
According to Budi, the contributions for people in the 1st to 5th deciles are covered by the government, so they will not be affected. The group that will be affected by the increase in BPJS contributions is the population in the 6th to 10th deciles.
According to Budi, the increase in contributions can no longer be postponed because the BPJS has consistently faced a deficit. He said that many hospitals have been experiencing operational difficulties. “This will be felt through delayed payments to hospitals. That is why there must be structural changes,” said Budi.
Currently, the government has not announced how much the BPJS Kesehatan contributions will be increased. Based on the previous figures for independent BPJS contributions, the BPJS contribution rates are Rp 150,000 per person/month for Class 1, Rp 100,000 per person/month for Class 2, and Rp 42,000 per person/month for Class 3 (with Rp 7,000 subsidised by the government).
Editor’s Choice: Why is the Health Social Security Fund Always in Deficit?
“For middle- and upper-income individuals, Rp 42,000 should be manageable. Men spend more than Rp 42,000 a month on cigarettes,” Budi said when met at the Ministry of Health in South Jakarta on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
Scroll down to continue reading.
Budi said that the increase in BPJS contributions should not affect the expenditure of low-income people. “If the tariffs are increased, it will not affect the poorest 1st to 5th deciles,” he said.
According to Budi, the contributions for people in the 1st to 5th deciles are covered by the government, so they will not be affected. The group that will be affected by the increase in BPJS contributions is the population in the 6th to 10th deciles.
According to Budi, the increase in contributions can no longer be postponed because the BPJS has consistently faced a deficit. He said that many hospitals have been experiencing operational difficulties. “This will be felt through delayed payments to hospitals. That is why there must be structural changes,” said Budi.
Currently, the government has not announced how much the BPJS Kesehatan contributions will be increased. Based on the previous figures for independent BPJS contributions, the BPJS contribution rates are Rp 150,000 per person/month for Class 1, Rp 100,000 per person/month for Class 2, and Rp 42,000 per person/month for Class 3 (with Rp 7,000 subsidised by the government).
Editor’s Choice: Why is the Health Social Security Fund Always in Deficit?