Criticism grows over Red and White Cooperatives becoming BPJS providers

The government faces increasing criticism for its plan to allow Red and White Cooperative clinics to offer services under BPJS Kesehatan, the national health insurer. Experts claim the move contradicts the program's original goal of boosting the local economy.

Officials have been discussing the plan to use existing clinics and pharmacies within the cooperatives as primary facilities for BP, which provides basic medical services and first care for its members.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the cooperatives’ clinics will operate under a business model similar to private providers, allowing patients to access services through the National Health Insurance system.

Despite thousands of cooperatives operating nationwide since 2025, clinics and pharmacies have remained limited to specific locations, including Metuk in Central Java and Tamanmartani in Yogyakarta.

Critics have condemned the initiative, calling it an attempt to shift focus from the program’s unmet economic promises to new, unclear goals. Bhima Yudhistira, executive director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies, criticized the plan as indicative of the cooperatives program’s broader problems.

Originally promoted as a means to strengthen the local economy through access to basic goods, agricultural supplies, and small loans, the cooperatives program has faced criticism for its rushed rollout and failure to uphold cooperative principles.