Antara News·Indonesia·Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 08:57 AM UTC

Poor people must not avoid healthcare due to costs: Minister Muhaimin

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Anita, Kenzu

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar has urged low-income people not to let financial constraints prevent them from accessing health services through the National Health Insurance (JKN) program.

“JKN must serve as a guarantee so that people are not afraid to seek medical treatment,” Iskandar said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Sunday.

He emphasized that people living in poverty should not feel anxious or miss out on health services simply because they cannot afford treatment.

According to Iskandar, JKN not only provides protection when people fall ill but also helps prevent families from slipping into poverty because of medical expenses.

For low-income families, he said, illness can trigger a chain of economic difficulties. Treatment costs can deplete savings, force families to sell their assets, and even disrupt their children's education.

Iskandar said JKN coverage is part of the state's mandate under Article 34, paragraph (2), of the 1945 Constitution, which requires the government to develop a social security system for all citizens and empower disadvantaged and underprivileged communities.

Through JKN, the central and regional governments cover insurance premiums for eligible people. In 2026, the government allocated Rp48.7 trillion for premium assistance and strengthening the JKN fund.

The commitment is also reflected in Presidential Instruction No. 8 of 2025, which calls for improved access to and quality of health services for poor and extremely poor people, including by encouraging their enrollment as recipients of government-funded JKN premium assistance (PBI).

Iskandar stressed that ensuring JKN coverage is not solely the government's responsibility. Businesses must also ensure that all their workers are registered as JKN participants, report wages accurately, and pay premiums on time.

Currently, around 40 million JKN participants are employees of business entities and their family members, accounting for nearly one-third of total premium contributions.

“Do not let outsourced workers and workers' family members be left out. I also urge companies to make the best possible use of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to support the implementation of JKN,” Iskandar said.

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