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HB 1798 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Medicaid coverage for infant diapers

AI-generated

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

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.AI-generated

Status

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

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.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Carrie SorensenDPrime
  • Rep. Laura TelerskiDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Rep. Mary Jane WallnerDSenior Democratic Advisor
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader

Also: Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Mark PearsonR, Rep. Lee Ann KlugerD, Rep. Alice WadeD

Public testimony

152 signed in online · 17 wrote testimony

95% support5% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“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.…”
— Vanessa BLAIS, Manchestersupports
“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.”
— Kerstie Hazelbaker, Goffstownsupports
“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.…”
— Melissa Gore, Londonderrysupports
“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.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“I feel that Medicaid money is scarce and this could be better funded under a different program such as WIC”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordopposes
“Please deny this bill because it will take up too much tax dollars Parents can buy their own diapers.”
— Julie S, Newportopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-149:00 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-01-282:00 pmHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 36
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 02:30 pm GP 158
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 6 P. 14
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0249h
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseLay HB1798 on Table (Rep. Kesselring): MA RC 197-158 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 38
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseRemove from Table (Rep. W. Thomas): MF RC 151-185 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 75

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.