WEEKLY UPDATE: 09/26/24
In partnership with The Diaper Bank of Connecticut (DBCT), the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) is continuing its advocacy work in support of addressing diaper insecurity, including advocating in support of establishing Medicaid coverage of diapers. CHA and DBCT have jointly submitted three proposed legislative priorities to the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls Subcommittee on Health and Safety for the 2025 Legislative Session. The growing public health issue of lack of access to clean diapers is magnified during National Diaper Need Awareness Week, which is currently taking place and concludes Sunday, September 29, 2024.
The three proposals outline pathways to sustainable access to diapers for low- to moderate-income families with young children and have the potential to improve health outcomes vastly for young children and their mothers and caregivers. Specifically, CHA and DBCT propose the state (1) extend Medicaid coverage of diapers to children from birth to age three with certain health conditions, (2) extend Medicaid coverage of diapers to children birth to age three with certain health conditions participating in the Family Bridge universal home visiting program, and (3) reinvest in programs that enable Connecticut hospitals and health systems to screen families for diaper need and connect them with supports and supplies.
The proposals align with the Connecticut Department of Social Services’ (DSS) goals to improve maternal health outcomes and related maternal morbidity and mortality and to address associated health disparities. Diaper need is identified as the number one stressor and risk factor for postpartum depression.
Poor diaper hygiene due to lack of access to a consistent supply of diapers has been linked to several maternal and child health conditions, including maternal depression, poor infant sleep, infant and child urinary tract infections, and diaper dermatitis (known as “diaper rash”).
These proposals for the upcoming session are a continuation of CHA’s advocacy to address diaper insecurity, imploring the state to adopt targeted policy interventions that will make diapers readily available to families with children who have a medical necessity and who experience other barriers to accessing this essential resource.
