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Bill

S 6918

Enacts the "keep kids covered act" to provide automatic continuous enrollment in medical assistance and child health plus for certain children through age five

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Hoylman-Sigal

S 6918 - Enacts the "Keep Kids Covered Act" OverviewBill Number: S 6918 Title: Enacts the "keep kids covered act" to provide automatic continuous enrollment in medical assistance

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · S 6918

S 6918 - Enacts the "Keep Kids Covered Act"

Overview

Bill Number: S 6918
Title: Enacts the "keep kids covered act" to provide automatic continuous enrollment in medical assistance and child health plus for certain children through age five
Status: REFERRED TO HEALTH
Introduced: March 26, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of this bill is to ensure continuous health coverage for children up to age five by automatically enrolling them in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The legislation aims to address gaps in coverage that can occur when families experience changes in income or employment, which often leads to children losing their health insurance.

Key Provisions

  • Requires states to automatically enroll children under age five in Medicaid or CHIP (known as "Child Health Plus" in some states) and maintain their coverage until their fifth birthday.
  • Prohibits states from disenrolling these children unless the family requests it, the child turns five, or the child moves out of state.
  • Provides federal funding to states to cover the costs of this automatic continuous enrollment.
  • Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states on implementing the automatic enrollment and retention policies.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Children under age five would be the primary beneficiaries, ensuring they maintain uninterrupted access to essential health services and preventive care.
  • Families with young children would benefit from the stability of continuous coverage, reducing administrative burdens and financial stress associated with coverage gaps.
  • State Medicaid and CHIP programs would see increased enrollment and federal funding to support the automatic enrollment and retention requirements.
  • Healthcare providers may experience more consistent patient populations and reduced administrative costs related to coverage changes.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for consideration. If passed by the committee and the full Senate, it would then move to the House of Representatives for further review and potential passage. If enacted, the automatic enrollment and retention policies would take effect in all states beginning one year after the bill's enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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