Bill · S. 5037· Senate(119-S-5037)
MediKids Act
- Introduced
- 7/21/2026
- Last activity
- 7/21/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Kim
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "MediKids Act" aims to amend the Social Security Act to expand Medicaid eligibility. It seeks to make all children and young adults eligible for Medicaid from birth until they reach 26 years of age. The bill mandates that States automatically enroll these individuals into their State Medicaid programs. It also provides for 100 percent Federal matching payments for certain medical assistance expenditures. Furthermore, the legislation ensures coverage regardless of an individual's immigration status.
Yes· 3 of 12
Would children be better off under this?+9
The bill provides automatic Medicaid enrollment and expanded coverage for all children from birth.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+9
The bill expands Medicaid eligibility to all children and young adults up to age 26 and ensures coverage regardless of immigration status.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+8
The bill extends Medicaid eligibility and continuous coverage for young adults up to age 26.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill increases federal spending through a 100 percent matching rate for certain medical assistance expenditures.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Coverage Age: Medicaid eligibility would extend from birth until an individual reaches 26 years of age (Section 2(a)).
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Automatic Enrollment: Children born on or after the date two years after the Act's enactment would be automatically enrolled in the State Medicaid program upon birth (Section 2(b)).
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Simplified Process for Young Adults: For individuals who have attained 18 years of age, the required notifications and opt-out processes would be sent directly to the individual rather than a parent or guardian (Section 2(b)).
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Protection for Immigrants: States must provide medical assistance to eligible individuals regardless of whether they are lawfully residing or lawfully present in the United States (Section 2(e)).
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Debt Protection for Sponsors: No debt shall accrue under an affidavit of support against any sponsor of an individual receiving medical assistance under these provisions (Section 2(e)).
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Financial Support for States: The Federal government will provide 100 percent matching payments for medical assistance for certain eligible children and young adults (Section 2(f)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Opt-Out Requirements: Parents, guardians, or custodial relatives must take specific actions to disenroll a child if they have other health benefits coverage (Section 2(b)).
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Notification Requirements: Families or young adults must be notified of the services covered, medical support obligations, and the actions required to maintain or end enrollment (Section s 2(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+9Good For Young Adults+8Good For Immigrants+7Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Hispanic Americans+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+9Increases Medicaid Funding+8Increases Affordable Care Act Support+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+5Improves Racial Equity+3Improves Pathway To Citizenship+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-2
- 8/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/21/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California