The White House has a new plan, which was announced on Thursday that aims to make more affordable diapers to low-income families. The initiative will give low-income families access to diapers that are up to 25% cheaper than the ones they currently buy.
According to Popsugar, after discussing its plan to ecommerce company, Jet.com, the White House announced a wide-ranging partnership between the government, Jet, Cuties diapers manufactured by First Quality, and nonprofits across the country to manufacture and distribute diapers to nonprofits for 25% less than the lowest purchase price.
WSMV-TV reported that diapers have been a much needed item. However, it can be quite expensive, especially to low-income families. That's the reason behind White House's launching of a new initiative to make diapers affordable to families facing financial crisis.
The program gives low-income families access to diapers to 25% cheaper than what is offered in the market. In a blog post by the White House, approximately 1 in 3 families in the U.S. find it very challenging to afford to purchase diapers for their babies.
Diapers are not included in the federal assistance programs of the government, such as WIC, SNAP or Medicaid. CNN Money noted that the post says: "When you have a baby, diapers are a necessity. They are not optional." President Barack Obama is also supporting the collaboration to make this initiative possible.
Low-income families have to spend around $936 on diapers for each child annually, as claimed by the White House, and higher income families don't even have to shell off half of that amount. As a result, parents would attempt to stretch the time between changes to make their diaper supply last, which causes their children's infections and other health conditions.
Moreover, it is found that out that it causes undue stress on both parents and babies. "When families can't afford a healthy number of diapers for their babies, they're faced with a choice between buying diapers and paying for food, rent, or utilities like heat," the post said. "That's a choice that no family should have to make."
Meanwhile, the program is due to start at the end of April 2016. Through joint forces, Jet.com will help nonprofits purchase and get diapers quickly with free two-day shipping. Moreover, Jet.com also vowed not to make profit off the diapers.
