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. 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 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Tennessee's proposal late last week. 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.
“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 the state 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.” 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. “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.
