(5/9/2011)
The provincial government of Bali is aiming to have their electronic card system in support of an island-wide socialized medicine largely in place before the end of this year.
Bali's governor told BeritaBali.com that he hoped Elektronik Jaminan Kesehatan Bali Mandara (E-JKBM) or the Electronic Bali Mandara Health Insurance system will help Bali residents avoid the bureaucratic processing of paperwork needed in the past to obtain free medical care.
Pastika says the main problem to date in introducing the E-JKBM is that fact that many Balinese do not have the local identity card (KTP) required to obtain E-JKBM coverage.
"I sincerely ask that village heads undertake their responsibility and see that all local residents are in possession of a KTP. I have said in the past that the E-JKBM system is not easy, but it can be accomplished. The central government is still trying to formulate the rules for a national health security program, and (even they) is not finished, " said Pastika.
The governor is targeting that 600,000 E-JKBM cards will be issued in 2011. In 2010 some 30,000 cards were issued.
Available only to Bali residency card holders who have no other form of insurance coverage, the E-JKBM program extends free medical and hospital care to its participants.
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