Drowning in diaper debt? CT lawmakers pitch relief for some parents
Lawmakers want to re-introduce legislation requiring HUSKY Medicaid coverage to offer free diapers up to age three for cases of “medical necessity.” But can the state afford it?
More Stories
If you have young children, you know how expensive diapers are these days.
There’s a renewed push at the state Capitol to offer free diapers to some families. It could come with a hefty price tag, but supporters believe the program pays for itself in fewer doctor visits and lost work days.
“YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT”
Thais Santos is a busy woman. After working all day at a Bridgeport law firm, she goes home to five children. The youngest is in diapers, which now cost more than ever.
“And when you go to Pampers, Huggies, it’s a lot more money. Almost $50. And you cannot afford it if you need to buy food, if you need to pay the heat, if you need to pay the house,” Santos said. “Even the one in store – the store brands – are high priced right now. Like, let’s say $25, $26. And you don’t have enough diapers”
HUSKY COVERAGE?
On Monday, Democratic lawmakers said they will re-introduce legislation to require HUSKY Medicaid coverage to offer free diapers up to age three – but only when it’s considered a “medical necessity.”
What exactly does that mean? Still to be determined.
“The main two ones that we’ve identified from the literature were diaper dermatitis [“diaper rash”] and urinary tract infections,” said Connecticut Diaper Bank CEO Janet Stolfi Alfano.
Several other states have made the move.
Here in Connecticut, HUSKY already covers diapers for children ages three and older when needed for incontinence associated with a medical condition. Others under 21 years old are considered on a case-by-case basis. Diapers are distributed through a contract with the Connecticut Diaper Bank.
COST CONCERNS
Paying for the diaper expansion could be expensive – and Connecticut's Medicaid program is already facing significant cost overruns.
A similar proposal last year drew concerns from the Connecticut Department of Social Services – especially since it could jeopardize federal funding.
“The Department has significant concerns that the broad coverage outlined in the bill is beyond the scope authorized under federal rules and thus is unlikely to receive federal match,” DSS commissioner Andrea Barton-Reeves told lawmakers in 2024.
Despite those concerns, Tennessee and Delaware received federal waivers to expand Medicaid coverage for diapers. But it's unclear if the new Trump administration would grant such waivers.
Even with federal reimbursement, DSS estimated that last year’s legislation could cost the state almost $60 million per year. Without a waiver, that price tag shot up to $120 million.
This year, any expansion would need to be included in Gov. Ned Lamont’s state budget proposal, which he plans to release next week. In 2023, he appropriated an extra $700,000 for diapers to low-income families.
PAYS FOR ITSELF?
Supporters believe the diaper program could pay for itself.
“We look at the cost to implement, but we don't look at the long-term savings,” said state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford). “It’s likely that the savings associated with the reduced avoidable use of health care services will offset the cost of the coverage.”
One-in-four parents had to miss work or school because they didn't have enough diapers – and thus, couldn’t take their child to day care – or they had to take off for doctor’s appointments due to diaper rash, according to a 2023 survey from the New Haven-based National Diaper Bank Network.
That resulted in an average of 5.1 days of missed work, costing minimum wage parents $296 per month.
That’s why Santos had to give up her last job. She said diapers are not an option for working parents.
“You go to all those places, they don’t have diapers to just give it to you,” she said. “They keep telling you, ‘Go to this place; they have diapers. Go to this church.’ They don't have it.”
IF YOU NEED HELP
Reach out to the Connecticut Diaper Bank HERE.
