Tennessee will be the first state in the country to offer free diapers to families enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved a pilot program in Delaware that provides free diapers and wipes to postpartum parents for three months. Public health advocates have emphasized the importance of diaper supply for preventing diaper rash and urinary tract infections in infants and toddlers. Tennessee’s Medicaid program, TennCare, will provide up to 100 diapers per month for children under two starting in August. The state allocated $30 million in funding for the program. In Delaware, individuals will receive up to 80 diapers and one pack of baby wipes per week for the first twelve weeks postpartum. The program will be extended for another five years using Medicaid funding. Tennessee also increased income eligibility for parents to 100% of the poverty level. The state’s new diaper benefit has received attention due to its rejection of other federal funding programs, including one for low-income families for food and another for HIV prevention and treatment. Governor Bill Lee stated that supporting families is essential for the state’s well-being. The approvals by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services highlight the importance of providing resources for families in need.
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Tennessee and Delaware to Offer Free Diapers for Medicaid Families, Setting a National Precedent
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