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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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.
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.
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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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 2, 2026 | 2026-0249h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 14, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 28, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Jan. 28, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 12, 2026: Lay HB1798 on Table (Rep. Kesselring): MA RC 197-158 02/12/2026 HJ 4
Feb. 3, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0249h
Feb. 3, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 6 P. 14
Jan. 21, 2026: Executive Session: 01/28/2026 02:30 pm GP 158
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/14/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
Dec. 17, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1