Low-income parents and caregivers in Delaware and Tennessee are receiving free diaper distributions through their Medicaid programs to help prevent diaper rash in babies. Tennessee’s Medicaid program, TennCare, allows parents and legal guardians to pick up as many as 100 diapers a month for children under 2 years old at participating pharmacies. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved both states’ programs, citing the health benefits of having an adequate diaper supply for infants and toddlers, such as preventing diaper dermatitis and urinary tract infections.
In Delaware, parents can receive up to 80 diapers and a pack of baby wipes per week for the first 12 weeks after a child is born. The state has the option to extend the program for an additional five years using Medicaid funding. The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services highlighted the benefits of access to sufficient diapers, including reducing maternal depression and stress. The cost of diapers can be significant for low-income families, with infants needing as many as a dozen diapers a day, resulting in a monthly cost of $80 to $100 or more. This expense can account for 8% of someone’s income if they are earning the federal minimum wage.
Lack of access to an adequate supply of diapers can have broader implications, impacting parents’ ability to work if they are unable to drop their children off at childcare due to diaper shortages. The initiative to provide free diapers in Tennessee was supported by Governor Bill Lee, who allocated $30 million in TennCare funding for the program. Tennessee has a history of rejecting federal funding for programs aimed at helping those in poverty, as seen in their decision to decline nearly $9 million in federal funding to prevent and treat HIV. Governor Lee expressed hope that Tennessee’s initiative to cover diaper costs for mothers in the first two years of a child’s life would serve as a model for other states.
The broader context of diaper access and affordability underscores the challenges faced by low-income families in meeting basic needs for their children. By providing free diapers through Medicaid programs, states like Delaware and Tennessee are addressing a critical health issue for infants and toddlers while also alleviating financial burdens on struggling families. The approval of these diaper distribution programs by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reflects a recognition of the importance of access to essential supplies for vulnerable populations. Hopefully, initiatives like these will serve as a template for other states to support the well-being of families in need.
