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One of the largest arguments, aside from the basic “my body, my voice”, against abortion is that there are many expectant mothers that cannot afford diapers or care for their babies. However, a new resource that becomes available for Tennesseans on Wednesday, August 7, provides mothers in need with up to 100 free diapers monthly.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the state’s Medicaid Program, TennCare, will be providing 100 diapers per month for children under two. The child must be enrolled in TennCare or CoverKids healthcare coverage. The benefit is part of the governor’s Strong Families Initiative.
TennCare is the first state Medicaid program in the country to address the need of new mothers by providing diapers. With inflation and prices of items on the rise, the benefit will provide much needed help for new mothers. The benefit is aimed at assisting mothers with preventing rashes, infections, illnesses, and doctor or ER visits by ensuring the mother has access to new and clean diapers.
TennCare has obtained partnerships with pharmacies across the state that will serve as the location for mothers to get the diapers. A mother just simply goes to one of the participating pharmacies and shows the child’s TennCare or CoverKids card, or provides the child’s social security number, and they will receive the diapers as part of the program. The diapers must be part of the chosen lines and sizes of Huggies and Cuties and must be through the participating pharmacies. The state plans to add other brands such as Luvs and Pampers in the future.
With an average cost of $70-$80 monthly, diapers can put a large financial strain on those with low income and already struggling to pay expenses. Tennessee was one of the first states to pass an abortion ban following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Opponents argue that Republicans and conservatives focus on banning abortion but do nothing to help mothers keep their children. Tennessee is proving that theory wrong.
The Tennessee General Assembly passed the Human Life Protection Act in August 2022. Governor Lee signed the law, and it went into effect on August 25, 2022. The law bans abortion at all stages or pregnancy. It does, on the other hand, provide exceptions for molar or ectopic pregnancies, removing a miscarriage, saving the life of the mother, or to prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment or a major bodily function.
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
