Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) wants to make sure no kid in America goes without a doctor. On Tuesday, he introduced the MediKids Act, a bill that would automatically enroll every child in the U.S. in Medicaid's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit from the moment they're born until they turn 26.

"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," Kim said in a statement. "Millions of children are falling through the cracks of our healthcare system, and we are the only ones who can stand up and help. I built MediKids to be a step we can take right now to guarantee every single child in the United States the care they need, when they need it. No kid should go without care in our country."

The legislation is straightforward: automatically enroll children at birth, provide continuous coverage through age 26 regardless of income, immigration status, or health condition, and have the federal government pick up the full tab through a 100% federal medical assistance percentage. It's co-sponsored by Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

Kim's office notes that about 4.4 million children in the U.S. lack health insurance, while roughly one in three children — about 23 million — are underinsured, meaning their existing coverage doesn't adequately meet their healthcare needs. In a video released alongside the bill, Kim argued the current system is failing families. "Every child deserves to be healthy. Every child should have the ability to go to a doctor when they're sick," he said. He added that the proposal is intended to improve long-term health outcomes while easing financial burdens on families. "Healthy kids make healthy adults. And that makes for a healthier, stronger future for our country."

Kim also said parents should be able to care for their children without worrying about "going into debt, emptying your savings, or straining the family budget." The proposal has endorsements from several healthcare and children's advocacy organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, First Focus Campaign for Children, Families USA, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The MediKids Act arrives at a time when healthcare affordability is a growing concern. Recent CDC data showed the U.S. uninsured rate remained at 8.3% in 2025, leaving roughly 28 million Americans without health insurance. The agency also found uninsured rates were significantly higher in states that have not expanded Medicaid, highlighting persistent disparities in access to coverage. Meanwhile, a June Mercer report projected employer health benefit costs will increase 6.7% in 2026 to at least $18,500 per employee — the largest annual increase in 15 years. Insurers are expected to raise employer plan costs for a fourth consecutive year, with many employers shifting higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs to workers, underscoring broader pressures across the U.S. healthcare system.

Kim's bill is a bold attempt to plug the gaps in a system that leaves millions of children without adequate care. Whether it gains traction in Congress remains to be seen, but the message is clear: no kid should go without.