health
California becomes first state to provide a month of free diapers to all newborns
Parents will receive hundreds of free diapers before leaving hospital under new program aimed at alleviating expenses
TL;DR
- California will provide hundreds of free diapers to newborns before they leave the hospital.
- The program aims to reduce financial expenses for new parents.
- It is a first-in-the-country initiative led by Governor Gavin Newsom.
- The state has partnered with the non-profit Baby2Baby.
- The initiative is funded by $7.4m from last year's budget and a proposed $12.5m for the upcoming fiscal year.
- Each family will receive 400 diapers suitable for newborns up to 14lb.
- This initiative is compared to similar programs in Tennessee and Delaware, which are linked to Medicaid.
- Diapers are a significant expense, costing about $100 per month per child, and can lead to health issues if not changed frequently.