Rep. Ed Butler encourages TennCare families to utilize new diaper program

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Ed Butler, R-Rickman, is encouraging parents in House District 41 to take advantage of a new diaper benefit for children under two enrolled in TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program.

Members of TennCare and CoverKids can now receive up to 100 free diapers per eligible child each month at participating pharmacies in Tennessee.

“Essential baby products like diapers can be a major financial strain on families,” Butler said. “This new TennCare benefit will allow parents to worry less about finances and more about ensuring their children are healthy and well taken care of. I was proud to back this initiative last year and I look forward to continuing to find ways to support families in District 41 and across Tennessee.”

Tennessee on Aug. 7 became the first state to offer Medicaid members free diapers for children under two. The new TennCare benefit was approved by the General Assembly last year as part of Gov. Bill Lee’s Strong Families Initiative.

Parents can obtain disposable diapers, including training diapers, from participating pharmacy counters across Tennessee by presenting their child’s OptumRx card. A list of pharmacies can be found here, with additional locations expected to be added.

Diapers can cost an average of nearly $1,000 a year, and in 2023, 47% of families reported being unable to afford an adequate supply for the required number of changes, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. Babies can experience painful rashes and urinary tract infections without proper diaper changes.

For more information, visit the TennCare Diaper Benefit website.


This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://tnhousegop.org/rep-ed-butler-encourages-tenncare-families-to-utilize-new-diaper-program/