MediKids Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (21 Jul 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
What this bill does
The MediKids Act would amend Medicaid law to make all children and young adults under age 26 automatically eligible for Medicaid, regardless of family income. Two years after enactment, states would be required to automatically enroll every child born in the state into the state Medicaid plan at birth, notify parents or guardians about coverage details and disenrollment options, and allow opt-out if the child has other qualifying health coverage. Once enrollees automatically covered as children turn 18, the notification and opt-out rules would apply directly to them. The bill also extends continuous Medicaid eligibility, early screening and treatment services (EPSDT), and various existing Medicaid provisions from current age cutoffs (often 19 or 21) up to age 26, and exempts this population from Medicaid work/community-engagement requirements.
The bill affects children and young adults up to age 26 who would gain automatic Medicaid eligibility, their parents or guardians who would receive enrollment notices, and state Medicaid agencies, which would bear new administrative duties. It also extends coverage under this provision to individuals regardless of immigration status, and specifies that sponsors of such individuals would not incur debt under immigration affidavits of support because of this coverage. The federal government would pay 100% of costs (enhanced federal matching) for newly eligible individuals under this provision who would not have qualified for full Medicaid benefits under rules in effect as of January 1, 2025. The bill also amends tax law so that eligibility for this Medicaid coverage does not count as "minimum essential coverage" for tax-credit purposes unless the person is actually enrolled.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 21, 2026, by Senator Andy Kim with several cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration, potential amendment, and votes in both the Senate and House before it could become law; no further action has yet occurred.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
21 Jul 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Common questions
- What does S. 5037 do?
- The MediKids Act would amend Medicaid law to make all children and young adults under age 26 automatically eligible for Medicaid, regardless of family income. Two years after enactment, states would be required to automatically enroll every child born in the state into the state Medicaid plan at birth, notify parents or guardians about coverage details and disenrollment options, and allow opt-out if the child has other qualifying health coverage. Once enrollees automatically covered as children turn 18, the notification and opt-out rules would apply directly to them. The bill also extends continuous Medicaid eligibility, early screening and treatment services (EPSDT), and various existing Medicaid provisions from current age cutoffs (often 19 or 21) up to age 26, and exempts this population from Medicaid work/community-engagement requirements. The bill affects children and young adults up to age 26 who would gain automatic Medicaid eligibility, their parents or guardians who would receive enrollment notices, and state Medicaid agencies, which would bear new administrative duties. It also extends coverage under this provision to individuals regardless of immigration status, and specifies that sponsors of such individuals would not incur debt under immigration affidavits of support because of this coverage. The federal government would pay 100% of costs (enhanced federal matching) for newly eligible individuals under this provision who would not have qualified for full Medicaid benefits under rules in effect as of January 1, 2025. The bill also amends tax law so that eligibility for this Medicaid coverage does not count as "minimum essential coverage" for tax-credit purposes unless the person is actually enrolled. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 21, 2026, by Senator Andy Kim with several cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration, potential amendment, and votes in both the Senate and House before it could become law; no further action has yet occurred.
- Has S. 5037 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5037. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5037?
- S. 5037 was sponsored by Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] (D-NJ), with 5 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5037?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (21 Jul 2026).
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