HARTFORD, CONN.(WTIC Radio)-West Hartford State Representative Jillian Gilchrest led a press conference urging lawmakers to allow Medicaid to pay for diapers.
Advocates included Janet Alfano, who runs the Diaper Bank of Connecticut and Dr. Megan Smith of the Connecticut Hospital Association.
State Senator Matthew Lesser (D-Middletown) said he and his wife spend $55 a month, buying in bulk for diapers for their two-year old.
Alfano said the need for more diapers is vital. Her organization serves about six thousand children each month. Dr. Smith said diaper need is one predictor of post-partum depressive symptoms, larger than food and housing insecurity. She said on average families lacking diapers miss five days of work a month.
The measure is before the Human Services Committee.