Lawmaker criticizes health bill
Parliamentarian Hang Ali (center) speaks at a recent Catholic forum in Jakarta
- Konradus Epa, Jakarta
- Indonesia
- July 20, 2011
A member of a House of Representatives committee reviewing a social security bill has accused the government of not being serious in providing free medical treatment to the poor through its health insurance initiative.
“When poor people get sick, they must pay their own medical expenses. This is ironic, because Article 34 of the constitution stipulates that poor people and marginalized children shall be cared for by the state,” said Hang Ali SS Pahan said.
He was speaking to more than 40 people during a debate the bill yesterday organized by the Association of Catholic Intellectuals and Graduates of Indonesia in the bishops’ building in Jakarta.
“We [the committee] have encountered pressure from all sides, including from the government,” he said.
“When poor people get sick, they must pay their own medical expenses. This is ironic, because Article 34 of the constitution stipulates that poor people and marginalized children shall be cared for by the state,” said Hang Ali SS Pahan said.
He was speaking to more than 40 people during a debate the bill yesterday organized by the Association of Catholic Intellectuals and Graduates of Indonesia in the bishops’ building in Jakarta.
“We [the committee] have encountered pressure from all sides, including from the government,” he said.
