Somohardjo to establish foundation to maintain Bazo rights

Opposition party Pertjajah Luhur (PL) has temporarily postponed its plans to take legal action against the government for violation of the Basic Healthcare Act. “The government listened to us and has changed its policy,” said PL Chairman Paul Somohardjo in response to the government’s decision to extend the Bazo care in its old form for an additional 6 months. The PL will establish a foundation which will closely monitor the developments surrounding the government’s Bazo policy. The foundation will be established after Ramadan, the holiest month of the Muslim calendar. Somohardjo explained that the commission will consist of various experts including physicians. He pointed out that a small victory was achieved by putting pressure on the government. Many people were left without basic health insurance after the government had decided to evaluate the people who were registered. The government and the coalition pointed out that not all children who are younger than 16 and not all senior citizens who are older than 60 years are entitled to free Bazo health insurance. The government explained that senior citizens and parents of children who earn a reasonable income can cover their own health insurance. While the government was screening its list, people who had not been screened yet, did not get Bazo health insurance. Somohardjo who is also a legislator made it clear that this is a violation of the Bazo Act which protects all youths who are younger than 16 and all people ages 60 and older. “I suspect that they will amend the law in Parliament. But we will keep an eye on things,” said Somohardjo who is also a former chairman of Parliament.