Sumedang. Indonesia’s two national social security agencies -- BPJS Kesehatan and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan -- have called on regional governments to enhance coordination and expand the reach of social protection programs across the country.

The appeal was made by BPJS Kesehatan President Director Ali Ghufron Mukti and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Deputy for Corporate and Institutional Membership Hendra Nopriansyah during the 2025 Coordination Meeting on Program Synchronization between national and regional institutions. The forum gathered regional secretaries and heads of development planning agencies (Bappeda) from across Indonesia.

Ali Ghufron underscored that social security is a fundamental right of every citizen, emphasizing that the National Health Insurance (JKN) program serves as tangible protection for all segments of society, including low-income groups who now have guaranteed access to healthcare.

“We hope that local leaders will help raise awareness among their communities about these rights,” Ali Ghufron said at the Institute of Public Administration (IPDN) campus in Sumedang, West Java, on Wednesday.

He noted that JKN has already delivered significant benefits, with the central government covering contributions for 96.8 million participants under the subsidized contribution scheme (PBI). Local governments, he added, can supplement these subsidies based on their fiscal capacity.

Ghufron clarified that the provision of healthcare facilities remains the responsibility of both central and local governments -- not BPJS itself, which ensures public access to services. He also reminded hospitals and community health centers (Puskesmas) not to discriminate against BPJS participants and urged regional governments to help educate citizens about their rights.

“In the past, poor people were forbidden to get sick because they couldn’t pay; now they are forbidden to pay if they’re sick -- as long as they’re active BPJS Kesehatan members,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Hendra Nopriansyah stressed the crucial role of local governments in achieving universal coverage for the National Employment Insurance (Jamsostek) program.

“To realize the Golden Indonesia Vision by 2045, our workers must be prosperous and happy. Their welfare is key to fulfilling President Prabowo’s Asta Cita vision,” Hendra said.

He noted that coverage under BPJS Ketenagakerjaan currently stands at 37 percent, far below the 98 percent achieved by BPJS Kesehatan, despite both being constitutional rights under the 1945 Constitution.

“If central and local governments have yet to fulfill this right, it means there’s still work to do for the people of Indonesia,” he emphasized.

Hendra commended regions that have shown a strong commitment to Jamsostek, reporting that by September 2025, around 3.2 million poor and extremely poor workers had received protection funded by local governments. However, about 27 million workers remain uncovered.

He added that Jamsostek benefits go beyond financial protection -- many recipients have used compensation funds to pay for their children’s education, start small businesses, or settle debts, helping improve community welfare.

Hendra also noted that expanding coverage does not necessarily burden local budgets. For instance, construction project contractors can be required to provide employment protection for their workers under existing regulations.