Bill to Ensure Children Have Continuous Health Care Access as Republican Budget Bill Strips Coverage from Millions
On Tuesday, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, alongside U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) and Derek Tran (D-Calif.), introduced the bicameral “Keep Kids Covered Act” to provide continuous healthcare coverage for kids in Medicaid and CHIP, as Republicans slash funding to these programs.
The legislation would provide uninterrupted coverage to kids until the age of six, and for 24 months for kids between the ages of 6 and 19; current law provides 12 months of continued coverage up to age 19.
As Bennet has noted before, and most parents know, guaranteed, consistent coverage during a child’s critical stage of development is especially important to healthy outcomes.
The Republican “One Big Beautiful Bill” will cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and CHIP, increase barriers to coverage—including new work requirements—and add unnecessary red tape that will lead to people improperly losing their healthcare.
Senator Michael Bennet answers constituent questions during a town hall in Salida. Photo by Carly Winchell.
“Republicans’ budget bill puts millions of children at risk of losing their healthcare,” said Bennet. “It is critical that children eligible for Medicaid and CHIP keep their coverage as Republicans’ cruel cuts to these programs go into effect. This legislation safeguards against lapses in health insurance coverage for kids during the most important stages of their development.”
“In Florida and across the country, children pay the price when politicians rip health coverage away and create bureaucratic barriers to care,” said Castor. “The Keep Kids Covered Act will ensure eligible kids across the country can access reliable, stable Medicaid and CHIP coverage so they can live happy, healthy lives.”
“Research has shown that children with health coverage do better in school and grow into more successful adults, lowering costs for everyone,” she continued. “While Congressional Republicans and President Trump have spent the past few months making it more difficult and expensive for kids to access critical health coverage, Democrats are fighting to protect our kids and their future. I’m grateful to my colleagues Rep. Derek Tran and Senator Michael Bennet, as well as the child and family advocates, for their partnership and support of this critical legislation.”
“As a father of young kids, I know how critical adequate healthcare is for our children to grow and thrive. No child should be denied access to medical treatment because President Trump and Congressional Republicans wanted to give their billionaire friends a tax break,” said Tran. “I’m proud to join Rep. Castor in introducing the Keep Kids Covered Act to bring down costs for hard-working families and ensure high-quality access to healthcare so all of our kids can stay healthy.”
Coverage Impacts in Colorado
In Colorado, the Republican Budget Bill will cut an estimated $14 billion in federal funding for Medicaid, with rural communities estimated to lose $1.9 billion.
Approximately 1.2 million adults and nearly half a million children in Colorado are on Medicaid, and hundreds of thousands of them could lose coverage.
Colorado and other states are trying to implement continuous coverage policies in their Medicaid programs, but President Trump is standing in their way. Colorado currently has a Medicaid waiver allowing the state to provide continuous enrollment for kids up to age 3.
That policy was scheduled to go into effect in January 2026, but earlier this month, the Trump administration announced that it would not renew waivers that provide continuous coverage for anything longer than the 12-months currently required under law. Colorado’s current waiver expires at the end of this year.
“Colorado hospitals strongly support efforts to ensure children have uninterrupted access to health coverage, which is essential to their lifelong health and well-being. At a time when coverage disruptions and policy threats put families at risk, Senator Bennet’s leadership is critical to protecting the care Colorado kids need to grow and thrive. We’re grateful for his ongoing commitment to advancing policies that safeguard children, support families, and build healthier communities across our state,” said Colorado Hospital Association President and CEO Jeff Tieman.
“Keep Kids Covered is a smart policy. It will help kids get medical care when they need it. It will help their families stay afloat financially. And it will help our government run more efficiently and use its resources wisely,” said Colorado Children’s Campaign President and CEO Heather Tritten. “When babies, toddlers, and young children are continuously enrolled in health coverage, it’s good for their health and for everyone’s costs.”
Bennet has been a leading advocate for increasing access to affordable healthcare for working families and their children. This year, he reintroduced the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act to simplify out-of-state Medicaid screening and enrollment processes for pediatric care providers while retaining key safeguards.
In 2024, Bennet reintroduced his Medicare-X Choice Act to create a public option by expanding on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicare. In 2023, Bennet urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator to maintain efforts to reduce the number of uninsured children affected by unwinding Medicaid policies. Later that year, he introduced legislation to expand access to mental and behavioral healthcare for children, seniors, and low-income Americans on Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid.
This legislation is supported by dozens of children’s health centers, and general health and hospital associations across the country.