Megawati pushes for health security program

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri urged the need for a health insurance plan that gives all citizens access to health care.

Addressing the opening of a work meeting held by the ministry of health on Wednesday, Megawati said a community-based insurance scheme was expected to operate as soon as the ongoing emergency health safety net was lifted.

"The new program should be sustainable and accessible for all people who seek health care," Megawati said.

The government proposed to the House of Representatives Rp 2.82 trillion for the health safety net program in the upcoming fiscal year between April and December. The previous government allocated Rp 3.45 trillion for the emergency program in the current fiscal year.

Megawati praised the community-based care system now being promoted by the ministry of health.

"I do not doubt the benefits of the program, which will support the government's broad plan on health development," she said.

According to the health security program bill, the drafting of which is underway, the insurance scheme will be mandatory for all citizens. The funding of the scheme will be based on cross- subsidy, with each employed participant contributing three percent of his or her income to the program.

Megawati, however, expressed her discontent with the funding scheme, citing the extra burden the people and local governments would have to suffer now that the economic crisis remains unabated.

"I hope experts in the ministry of health will seek the best way to implement the program without having to lay burdens on people," she said.

Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi said that the health security scheme would be one of main topics of discussion in the national work meeting. The meeting is attended by health officials, hospital directors and representatives of other health-related organizations.

"We hope to decide on health policies in the face of the enactment of the law on regional autonomy," Achmad said in his speech. (04)