MediKids Act
Sponsored By: Senator Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would expand Medicaid eligibility to everyone under age 26, creating a new "Medikids" coverage category. It would also require automatic newborn enrollment, extend continuous coverage through age 26, and provide a full federal match for certain state costs.
Show full summary
- Families and young adults: Young people under 26 would become newly eligible for Medicaid and get continuous eligibility through age 26. The bill would also raise the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment benefit to cover people up to age 26.
- Newborns and individuals turning 18: The bill would require automatic enrollment of newborns in participating states, with parents or guardians notified and an opt-out process if other adequate coverage is obtained. For those who reach 18, notices and opt-out choices would go to the individual rather than a parent.
- Immigration and state finances: Eligibility would be available regardless of immigration status and sponsors could not be billed under affidavits of support. States would receive a 100 percent federal matching rate for eligible Medikids expenditures, with key provisions taking effect two years after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Medicaid coverage up to 26
If enacted, the bill would let people under age 26 get Medicaid starting two years after enactment. States would have to provide continuous eligibility and expand EPSDT screening and treatment through age 26. Newborns born in a State on or after that date would be automatically enrolled. Parents, or the individual at age 18, would be notified and could opt out in writing. Opt-out would be allowed only if the child already has other coverage that meets essential health benefits. States would have to provide care without regard to lawful presence. Sponsors could not be charged affidavit-of-support debt for Medikids care.
Medicaid eligibility won't block credits
If enacted, the bill would change tax rules so that being eligible for Medikids Medicaid but not enrolled would not count as having minimum essential coverage for premium tax credit rules. This change would take effect two years after enactment. That would let eligible but unenrolled people still get marketplace premium tax credits.
Federal pays full cost for new Medikids
If enacted, the federal government would pay 100 percent of Medicaid costs for people newly eligible under Medikids who would not have qualified for full benefits as of January 1, 2025. This 100 percent match would begin two years after enactment. That would reduce state Medicaid costs for those new enrollees.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/21/2026
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/21/2026
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/21/2026
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
WA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov