NH House Testimony

HB1798

House · 2026 sessionDemocraticDied in House

Medicaid coverage for infant diapers

AI

Directs the department of health and human services to seek a Medicaid demonstration waiver covering diapers for an infant's first year of life and appropriates funds for that purpose.

relative to the coverage of diapers under the state Medicaid plan.

Welfare/Medicare/MedicaidPublic and Mental HealthChildrenAgency Appropriations

Status

Died on the table in the House · February 12, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

152 submissions
Support 144Oppose 8Neutral 0
Carla BillinghamSupportSalem, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Logic and critical thinking are the foundation of intelligence. Together they create the ability to make wise decisions throughout one's growth and development.

Robert DrysdaleOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Diapers are necessary for hygiene, They should be covered under medicaid.

Joanna AndrosSupportWalpole, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

I support the supply of diapers by medicaid during the first year of life. These diapers are very expensive, yet necessary. Not everyone has access to equipment to wash cloth diapers, and disposables are required for daycare.

Roy SOpposeNewport, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Please deny this bill because it will take up too much tax dollars Parents can buy their own diapers.

Julie SOpposeNewport, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Please deny this bill because it will take up too much tax dollars Parents can buy their own diapers.

Melissa JosefiakOpposeGoffstown, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Please protect our state from preventable disease.

Erin SandlerSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

This bill would be extremely effective to ensure the needs of children in foster care are met.

Miriam Cahill-YeatonSupportEpsom, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Diapers are expensive! If not covered they will not be changed often enough. This may lead to serious diaper rash/infections.

Katy DipasqualeSupportPORTSMOUTH, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

I support this bill!

Sharon RacusinSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

YES, we must support everyone and this is analogous to sanitary napkins and tampons in publlic school restrooms. It is about dignity and comfort.

Roy SchweikerOpposeConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

I feel that Medicaid money is scarce and this could be better funded under a different program such as WIC

Melodie MorinSupportNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Any way to support those in need is a great path forward. We all know how expensive diapers and taking care of children are.

Lyn LindpaintnerSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Diapers are an unavoidable expense for families (whether disposable or cloth) for at least 2 years of every child’s life. There are surely ways to use economies of scale statewide to provide them free or at very low cost for or poorest Granite Staters. I urge you to support yozng families by passing HB1798.

Daniel RichardsonOpposeNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

While adult diapers are humiliating, there is some minimal personal maintenance costs which are beyond the scope of government. That is why government does not supply toilet paper.

Melissa GoreSupportLondonderry, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

As someone who has spent time organizing diaper drives for local organizations, such as the Manchester diaper pantry, I am intimately aware with the amount of need in our community for a diapering supplies for infants. This is an important basic need that babies and toddlers have and these supplies are extremely expensive at times, especially for families who are already operating on razor thin budgets. All children, regardless of the family they are born into, deserve the dignity of having clean diapers and having their basic needs met. I urge you to support this bill so that Medicaid may take care of our community in this fashion.

Kerstie HazelbakerSupportGoffstown, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

As a parent of now teens I still remember the cost of diapers when they were young. I wholeheartedly support this bill as an aid for needy families to adequately take care of their young children.

Vanessa BLAISSupportManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

As a single mother attending school and working, one of my biggest stresses was the extraordinary cost of diapers. Some people overlook the fact that children's health and wellness can be directly affected by how often they can be changed. Parents who are struggling may find themselves rationing diapers. This can lead to skin and other serious issues that are painful and lead to costly medical care. Many childcare centers will not take children without adequate diaper supply. This can lead to loss of access to childcare needed to go to work and other training opportunities to better the life of the family.

Jessica SmithSupportPortsmouth, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Tara RyanSupportDurham, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Nick DesiderioSupportDurham, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Gabriele LiebergSupportNewfields, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Annie HopkinsSupportPortsmouth, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Nicole RayeSupportPortsmouth, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Amanda FurtadoSupportAuburn, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Sage CoellnerSupportDurham, NHfor MyselfJan 14, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.