Economic Justice in Indonesia’s Healthcare System: A Critical Assessment of Healthcare Accessibility and Affordability

Abstract

This paper provides a critical assessment of Indonesia’s healthcare system from an economic justice perspective, focusing on accessibility and affordability for all socioeconomic groups. Despite significant progress in expanding healthcare coverage under programs such as the National Health Insurance (JKN), challenges persist in providing equitable healthcare to marginalized populations, particularly in rural areas and among the urban poor. The paper analyzes how economic disparities affect access to quality healthcare, with a particular focus on out-of-pocket costs, the quality of care in rural versus urban areas, and the challenges faced by low-income households in affording essential services. Additionally, the study examines the structural barriers that hinder effective healthcare delivery, such as insufficient healthcare infrastructure, underpaid healthcare workers, and regional disparities in healthcare funding. The paper also evaluates the role of the government and private sector in ensuring healthcare access and affordability, exploring whether current policies address the social determinants of health and contribute to reducing inequality in healthcare. The study argues that while Indonesia’s healthcare reforms have expanded coverage, systemic inequalities persist, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for improving healthcare equity, including increasing public health investment, strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure, and improving the efficiency and transparency of the JKN system.