The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has given approval to two initiatives designed to make it easier for new families to receive free diapers and wipes.
In Tennessee, CMS approved an amendment that will allow families using Medicaid to receive free diapers through the program, while in Delaware, CMS approved a pilot program offering free diapers and wipes for the first three months after giving birth to postpartum parents who are Medicaid recipients.
The Tennessee program will cover the cost of up to 100 diapers per month for TennCare and CoverKids members under age two, while in Delaware, individuals will be able to receive up to 80 diapers and up to one pack of baby wipes per week in the first twelve weeks postpartum.
“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.”
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The Tennessee approval comes as part of Governor Bill Lee’s Strong Families Initiative, which was approved by lawmakers in 2023 to increase support for families.
“Strong families are central to strong communities, and Tennessee is leading the nation in prioritizing resources for families in need,” said Lee 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.”
The Delaware initiative comes as part as a larger attempt to improve services and health outcomes for Medicaid recipients.
“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.
According to some estimates, a newborn will use an average of 10 diapers per day, while older babies need around 150 diapers per month.
Tennessee protects the majority of preborn children from abortion, with exceptions for life or health of the mother and life-limiting fetal diagnosis (though induced abortion — the direct and intentional killing of a preborn child — is not medically necessary). In Delaware, abortion is considered a “right” until the arbitrary point of viability, at about 24 weeks.
