Sen. Andy Kim proposes automatic Medicaid enrollment for U.S. children from birth to age 26

Sen. Andy Kim introduced the MediKids bill on July 21 that would automatically enroll children in Medicaid’s early screening and preventive healthcare programs at birth. Coverage would continue until age 26, with families permitted to opt out.

The measure targets more than 4 million uninsured children in the United States. The bill was co-sponsored by Sens. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Alex Padilla of California.

Kim has discussed the legislation with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s team. Kim said he plans to consult Republicans. He presented the proposal as a concrete policy idea for Democrats to pursue when they regain majorities.

“I’m really building towards creating that very tangible, concrete idea of what we would do if we had gavels, what we would do if we had the White House back,” Kim said. Kim argued that the bill would produce long-term savings. “Healthier kids means healthier adults,” he stated.

Kim said the legislation is not solely a messaging effort and could form part of a larger Democratic package addressing Medicaid coverage levels.