MediKids Health Insurance Act of 2005

The MediKids Health Insurance Act of 2005 proposed creating a national health insurance program for children modeled after Medicare. Under this plan, every child born after December 31, 2006, would be automatically enrolled in a federal program providing comprehensive medical coverage, including prescription drugs.

For families, the program would be funded through monthly premiums and progressive tax changes, though low-income households would receive reduced cost-sharing and premium exemptions. Additionally, the bill included a refundable tax credit for parents whose out-of-pocket medical expenses for an enrolled child exceeded 5% of their adjusted gross income. While the bill aimed to ensure universal health coverage for children, it did not move past the committee stage and never became law.