REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR - The operation of Social Insurance Management Agency (BPJS) and the implementation of the National Health Insurance Program will begin on January 1, 2014. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially launched the scheme at Bogor Palace, on Tuesday. 

President Yudhoyono urged all parties associated with the implementation of the Social Security Organizing Body (BPJS) on health affairs to work toward making the program a success.

"Hence, I ask all relevant parties such as the central government, regional governments, BPJS health insurance, hospitals, and all health facilities to ensure that this important and historic program to be successful," the president said.

Earlier day, President Yudhoyono had held a limited cabinet meeting in the Bogor Palace, West Java, to review the final preparations for the implementation of the BPJS health insurance scheme scheduled to commence on January 1, 2014. The President also urged all parties including government officials, hospital operators and paramedics, to fully support the historical program.

The government has allocated 19.93 trillion IDR in the 2014 state budget for the health insurance program, in an effort to protect the 86.4 million poor and unemployed people. More than 35 million civil servants, police personnel and employees of state-owned companies have joined the health insurance program. 

In total, 121.6 million Indonesians have joined the program, and 125 million others are expected to follow soon. Meanwhile, the other citizens will contribute by paying monthly premiums at affordable prices, in order to obtain health insurance.

According to the President, the government has set up 12 government regulations from five presidential decrees to support the implementation of the social welfare programs. Implementation of the program is the embodiment of the Law 40/2004 on the National Social Security System and the Law 24/2011 on the BPJS.

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