Tennessee, Delaware to become first states to offer free diapers for Medicaid families

tennessee, delaware to become first states to offer free diapers for medicaid families

FILE - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building is seen, April 5, 2009, in Washington. Tennessee will soon become the first state in the country to offer free diapers to families enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program after receiving federal approval May 17, 2024, state officials have confirmed. Similarly, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also approved extending a pilot program in Delaware that provides free diapers and wipes to postpartum parents for the first three months after giving birth. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee will soon become the first state in the country to offer free diapers to families enrolled in the state's Medicaid program after receiving federal approval, state officials have confirmed.

Similarly, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has also approved extending a pilot program in Delaware that provides free diapers and wipes to postpartum parents for the first three months after giving birth.

The recent approvals in both Delaware and Tennessee come as public health advocates say that families are increasingly struggling to afford enough diapers for their children — not only putting babies at risk of infection and rashes, but also forcing parents to miss work or school because they can't afford enough diapers required at many childcare centers.

On average, newborn babies can require eight to 10 diapers a day, or around 300 a month. Toddlers can use around 150 diapers a month.

“For infants and toddlers, a key benefit to adequate diaper supply is preventing diaper dermatitis, otherwise known as diaper rash, and urinary tract infections,” CMS wrote in their approval letter to Tennessee on May 17. “Diaper rash is one of the most common medical conditions for infants and toddlers, and changing diapers frequently is the mainstay of recommendations to prevent this condition.”

According to TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, families will be able to receive up to 100 diapers per month for children under two starting in August — which will be available at TennCare pharmacies.

The request stemmed from an initiative backed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee in 2023 designed to support families, for which lawmakers approved allocating $30 million in TennCare funding for the free diapers.

“Strong families are central to strong communities, and Tennessee is leading the nation in prioritizing resources for families in need," Lee said in a statement on Wednesday. “We are the first state in the nation to cover the cost of diapers for mothers in the first two years of a child’s life, and we hope this is a model for others.”

In Delaware, individuals will be allowed to receive up to 80 diapers and up to one pack of baby wipes per week in the first twelve weeks postpartum. CMS agreed the state could use Medicaid funding to extend the program another five years.

“Access to sufficient diapers offers health benefits to the parent, as well, as diaper need is associated with maternal depression and stress,” said Martha Lodge, spokesperson for the Delaware Health and Social Services in an email.

Along with approving the diaper benefit, CMS approved increasing TennCare's income limit for parents to 100% of poverty. Previously, Tennessee's income eligibility was set at specific monthly amounts rather than being connected to the federal poverty level.

This has meant a parent in a household of three used to face an income limit of about $1,600 a month. Under the new changes, the income limit jumps to about $2,000 a month.

According to a report from the Sycamore Institute, a Tennessee think tank, Tennessee now has the highest income eligibility for parents and caretakers among the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid eligibility broadly for adults under the Affordable Care Act.

Tennessee's new diaper benefit stands out as the state has gained attention over the years for becoming increasingly willing to reject federal funding that offer valuable resources to other families and struggling individuals.

Earlier this year, Tennessee confirmed that it would only participate in a federal program that gives low-income families $40 per child per month to pay for food while school is out for one year — choosing to opt out in 2025 because Lee's administration argued that other food programs existed.

Meanwhile, public health advocates say they were stunned when the state announced back in January that it was rebuffing roughly $9 million in federal funding designed to prevent and treat HIV.

Instead, health officials chose to fund the HIV-prevention program with state dollars. Doing so allowed Tennessee to bypass federal requirements and refuse to fund Planned Parenthood, long lambasted by Republicans for offering abortion and LGBTQ+ services.

Kimberlee Kruesi, The Associated Press

OTHER NEWS

37 minutes ago

England sneak through to Super Eight stage of T20 World Cup after Australia seal tense five-wicket win over Scotland

37 minutes ago

Jaylen Brown's Juice Foundation holds sweepstakes for tickets to Game 5

40 minutes ago

Trump denies Milwaukee ‘horrible’ city comment: ‘Democrats are making up stories’

42 minutes ago

Trump Confuses Doctor's Name While Challenging Biden to Cognitive Test

42 minutes ago

Why these strong ASX ETFs could be top long term picks

42 minutes ago

Cameron insists Tories are ‘fizzing with ideas’

42 minutes ago

Fastest goal in Euros history: Albania’s Nedim Bajrami breaks all-time record for quickest opening goal in UEFA European Championship match

42 minutes ago

Why this photo of a mobile speed camera operator on a lawn has sparked outrage

49 minutes ago

Investors Fear Long Stretch of Calm in Markets Can’t Last

49 minutes ago

Actress Patricia Heaton: It's up to Christians to do something about antisemitism

49 minutes ago

Lessons Learned from Kings' Championship 10th Anniversary

49 minutes ago

McDavid, Oilers avoid sweep, thump Panthers 8-1 in Game 4 of Stanley Cup final

49 minutes ago

'Custody For 90 Days Will Ruin Lives': NCP (SP) Leader Jitendra Awhad On New Criminal Laws

49 minutes ago

Indian Documentaries Ride Global Wave as Local Funding and Distribution Concerns Remain

49 minutes ago

Jarrett Stidham may be current leader in Denver Broncos' QB race

49 minutes ago

Francoise Hardy, French singer and 60s pop icon, dies aged 80

49 minutes ago

Dodgers face injury attrition as ace leaves with triceps tightness

49 minutes ago

Steelers GM Omar Khan discusses team's relationship with RB Najee Harris

49 minutes ago

Struggling Hailie Deegan may not be ready for bright lights of NASCAR

52 minutes ago

Chinese premier promises more pandas and urges Australia to put aside differences

53 minutes ago

Hajj 2024: Saudi Arabia implements advanced cooling techniques in holy sites amid scorching heat

53 minutes ago

Italy 2-1 Albania: Player ratings as holders begin Euro 2024 with comeback victory

53 minutes ago

Toni Kroos' lack of arrogance and calmness hailed after 'really powerful' team talk

53 minutes ago

Government: Labour’s manifesto contains tax rises, not cuts

53 minutes ago

AFL kiss between TV host and footy legend sparks furore: 'It is a first'

53 minutes ago

Video: Kim Kardashian shows off her curves in a fitted outfit as daughter North West sports custom pajamas while celebrating her 11th birthday in NYC

53 minutes ago

Video: Pregnant Hailey Bieber cradles her baby bump in a gray crop top as she celebrates '2 years of Rhode' skincare

1 hour ago

Top 5 Animal Frights

1 hour ago

Montenegro, Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic dies at age 26

1 hour ago

Derelict Enniscorthy farmhouse with 2.5 acres of land on market for €285,000

1 hour ago

John Stones issues Euro 2024 rallying cry after overcoming double scare in major boost for England

1 hour ago

'Everyone gives us no chance', says Poland boss Probierz

1 hour ago

The Property Brothers' Biggest Advice For First-Time Homebuyers

1 hour ago

Pilgrims commence the final rites of Hajj as Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha

1 hour ago

American comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld is all smiles as he greets fans while exploring Perth ahead of Australian stand-up comedy tour

1 hour ago

No Messi, no problem! Inter Miami have to cope without absent star and have two men sent off... but STILL manage to score a last-minute winner to beat MLS rivals Philadelphia Union

1 hour ago

Murdered mom-of-five's boyfriend breaks his silence after ILLEGAL migrant was finally charged with raping and killing her - as cops reveal stunning breakthrough on her birthday and offer stern message to Joe Biden

1 hour ago

Serial celeb harasser 'Crackhead Barney' calls Quentin Tarantino a 'Zionist piece of s***' after troll previously screamed at Alec Baldwin

1 hour ago

Madonna, 65, tries to keep a low-profile in NYC in all-black outfit after her lawyers SLAMMED concert delay lawsuit as a 'harassment campaign' from fans

1 hour ago

Bryson DeChambeau takes control of US Open with glorious 67 as Rory McIlroy rues late bogeys