WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) re-introduced the End Diaper Need Act of 2023, which would assist low-income families in addressing diaper needs by providing targeted funding for states, territories, and other eligible entities.

Among other provisions, the legislation would allow for 200 medically necessary diapers be provided per month for medically complex children through the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program. The bill also makes medically necessary diapers qualified medical expenses so families may purchase them using their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). 

Additionally, the End Diaper Need Act of 2023 would appropriate $200 million per year for fiscal years 2024 to 2027 for the Social Services Block Grant Program, to be used to provide diapers and diapering supplies.

“As any parent knows, diapers are a necessary but expensive essential for babies and toddlers,” said Senator Cramer. “But for many families, the cost of medical diapers for their children is a recurring, heavy financial burden. Our bill will help alleviate the monthly expense for families already dealing with their child’s complex medical needs.”

“Between putting food on the table and keeping up with bills, the last thing working parents should have to worry about is being able to buy diapers that are essential to the health and well-being of their children,” said Senator Duckworth. “After Senator Cramer and I successfully secured critical funding to help support our nation’s diaper banks, I’m proud to have him on my side reintroducing this bipartisan bill so we can help end diaper need for all families.”

Click here to view bill text.

Background:

Senators Cramer and Duckworth secured $20 million in the final FY 2023 appropriations package, and $10 million in the FY 2022 appropriations package, to expand diaper distribution programs. In 2022, Senator Cramer joined U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) on the bipartisan Diaper Inclusion in Accounts for Parental Expense Reduction (DIAPER) Act effort to help parents afford and get access to diapers.

In 2021, Senator Cramer joined colleagues in introducing the End Diaper Need Act, bipartisan legislation to provide resources to assist low-income and middle-class families address their diaper needs and help ensure the health and well-being of those who rely on diapers, including infants, toddlers, medically complex children, low-income adults, and adults with disabilities.

In 2019, Senator Cramer joined U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Mike Braun (R-IN) to introduce a bipartisan resolution to recognize the importance of diaper banks across the country. This resolution passed the Senate in September 2019.