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HB 1798-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2642
05/08
HOUSE BILL
1798-FN
AN ACT
relative to the coverage of diapers under the state Medicaid plan.
SPONSORS: Rep. Sorensen, Rock. 28; Rep. Gregg, Hills. 7; Rep. M. Pearson, Rock. 34; Rep. Telerski, Hills. 11; Rep. Wallner, Merr. 19; Rep. Kluger, Hills. 6; Rep. Wade, Straf. 15; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill directs the department of health and human services to submit a demonstration waiver to CMS to provide Medicaid coverage for diapers for the first year of an infant's life. The bill also makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services for this purpose.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2642
05/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
relative to the coverage of diapers under the state Medicaid plan.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Department of Health and Human Services; Medicaid Coverage for Diapers. Amend RSA 126-A by inserting after section 4-i the following new section:
126-A:4-j State Medicaid Plan; Diapers.
I. On or before November 1, 2026, the commissioner of the department of health and human services shall submit a Section 1115 demonstration waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the purpose of providing Medicaid coverage for the cost of 100 diapers a month for the first 12 months of a child’s life.
II. Beginning November 1, 2026, the department shall submit biennial reports to the oversight committee on health and human services, established in RSA 126-A:13, regarding the status of the waiver application. Subject to approval by CMS, the department shall make best efforts to implement the benefit on or before May 1, 2027.
2 Appropriation. The sum of $100,000, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of funding section 1 of this act. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum from any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take upon its passage.
LBA
26-2642
Revised 1/14/26
HB 1798-FN-
FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT
relative to the coverage of diapers under the state Medicaid plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This bill does not authorize new positions.
Estimated State Impact
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
FY 2029
Revenue
$0
$0
$0
$0
Revenue Fund(s)
None
Expenditures*
$0
$165,000 general funds; $178,000 federal funds
$919,000 general funds; 1,068,000 federal funds
$919,000 general funds; 1,068,000 federal funds
Funding Source(s)
General funds, federal funds
Appropriations*
$0
$100,000
$0
$0
Funding Source(s)
General Fund
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a Section 1115 demonstration waiver to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow the state to provide Medicaid coverage for the cost of 100 diapers a month for the first 12 months of a child’s life. The bill appropriates $100,000 in FY27 for the purpose of funding the new coverage.
The Department of Health and Human Services states there are approximately 4,000 Medicaid-eligible children from birth to 12 months of age. The Department anticipates it will pay a rate of $0.46 per diaper. While not every eligible parent will avail themselves of the benefit, the Department anticipates a high uptake and assumes a 90 percent utilization rate, or 3,600 children per month. Of these, the Department anticipates 75 percent (2,700) will qualify under standard Medicaid while the remaining 25 percent (900) will qualify through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The standard Medicaid federal match is 50 percent, while the CHIP federal match is 65 percent. The table below outlines the anticipated federal and general expenditures for the two eligibility groups:
Clients Per month
Diaper Entitlement
Cost Per Diaper
Federal Fund Expenditures Per Month
General Fund Expenditures Per month
Federal Fund Expenditures Annualized
General Fund Expenditures Annualized
Standard (2,700)
100
$0.46
$62,100
$62,100
$745,200
$745,200
CHIP (900)
100
$0.46
$26,910
$14,490
$322,920
$173,880
Total federal funds per month = $89,010
Total general funds per month = $76,590
Total federal funds per year = $1,068,120
Total general funds per year = $919,080
Average federal fund rate = 54%
Average general fund rate = 46%
Due to the need for CMS approval, the Department assumes that implementation will be delayed until late in FY27. FY27 costs are estimated to be $165,180 in general funds and $178,032 in federal funds.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services