Tennessee has made a groundbreaking move by becoming the first state in the nation to implement a diaper benefit for children under the age of two enrolled in TennCare and Cover Kids. This new initiative, which provides up to 100 diapers per month, was discussed during a recent meeting of the Tennessee General Assembly's Government Operations Committee.

Ashley Reed, the director of legislation for the Division of TennCare, highlighted the significance of this benefit, which aims to alleviate the financial burden on families with young children. Historically, TennCare only covered diapers for individuals over the age of three with specific medical conditions. The program, funded through TennCare's shared savings, received federal approval in May 2024 and officially launched on August 7, 2024.

As of January 23, 2025, approximately 41,497 children, or about 43% of the eligible population of 95,000, have accessed this benefit. Reed expressed optimism about increasing participation as awareness grows, particularly in rural communities. The Division of TennCare has developed a communications toolkit to help inform families about the program.

During the meeting, concerns were raised about potential price gouging at pharmacies providing the diapers. TennCare officials assured committee members that they would conduct ongoing market scans to monitor costs and ensure fair pricing for families utilizing the benefit.

The committee also discussed other initiatives, including amendments to the Tennessee Step Up Scholarship and Tennessee Promise programs, aimed at supporting students with intellectual disabilities and facilitating access to higher education. However, some members expressed concerns about the lack of accommodations for English as a Second Language (ESL) students in these programs.

Overall, the diaper benefit represents a significant step forward in supporting Tennessee families, with officials hopeful for continued growth in program participation and positive outcomes for children in need.