Senator Andy Kim introduced the MediKids Act on July 21, 2026, legislation that would automatically enroll every child in America at birth and guarantee healthcare coverage through age 26, regardless of income or immigration status.
The bill addresses a growing crisis: approximately 4.4 million children in the United States lack health insurance, with the uninsured rate for children reaching 6% in 2024, the highest level in nearly a decade, according to census data cited by the Campaign for Children.
The MediKids Act would automatically enroll every child in Medicaid’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit, which covers comprehensive and preventive health care services. The legislation would provide continuous eligibility until age 26 and cover 100 percent of the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for this population, meaning the federal government would fully fund the program.
Kim’s statement emphasized the urgency: “As parents, we promise to do all we can to look after the health and safety of our children. Nothing is more essential than caring for our kids – but as a country, we are failing to uphold that same promise. Millions of children are falling through the cracks of our healthcare system.”
The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, and Alex Padilla of California. It has been endorsed by nearly two dozen organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and First Focus Campaign for Children.
Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus Campaign for Children, framed the proposal as a response to multiple crises affecting children. “Children are losing health care coverage at a rapid rate, even as they are gripped by falling immunization rates, unacceptable levels of infant mortality, and an unprecedented mental health crisis,” Lesley said. He noted that another 2 million children have lost insurance since the Trump Administration took office in January 2025, with the Congressional Budget Office projecting that nearly 3 million more children will lose Medicaid coverage as a result of recent federal budget cuts.
The MediKids proposal comes as the uninsured rate among children has risen for two consecutive years. According to the Campaign for Children, about one in three children is underinsured—meaning roughly 23 million kids’ healthcare coverage is unable to meet their actual medical needs.
Sources
- Senator Andy Kim’s Office — official press release on the MediKids Act introduction, bill text, and Kim’s statement
- Campaign for Children — analysis of the bill, uninsured child statistics, and endorsement details
- The Hill — reporting on the bill’s introduction and coverage provisions
- NJ Spotlight News — coverage of the legislation and federal funding mechanism
