ATLANTA and TAMPA, Fla., May 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With almost one in three mothers having to choose between diapers and food, WellCare of Georgia, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), announced today it invested $3,000 in Helping Mamas, a nonprofit with a mission to connect metro-Atlanta moms with the help they need to care for themselves and their children.

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A recent study published in Pediatrics found that parents experiencing poverty in the form of material hardship, meaning they don't have the basic things that make life livable, are subject to increased parenting stress, and their children are at increased risk for social, emotional and behavioral problems.

The study further points to the inability for low-income families to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits to purchase diapers because it is not an allowable expense. The need is compounded by the fact that the average cost of diapers is calculated to be about 6 percent of an annual, minimum-wage salary.

"Many working families are not able to prioritize their health because they cannot meet their babies' basic needs for things like diapers and wipes," said Dr. John Alexander Johnson, senior medical director, WellCare of Georgia. "A lack of these supplies can lead to a practice called 'diaper stretching', which is associated with urinary tract infections and diaper dermatitis, and is responsible for numerous pediatric office and emergency room visits each year. We are proud to support Helping Mamas in getting baby supplies to families in need to assist them in providing a safe and healthy environment for their children."

For more information on Helping Mamas, visit http://www.helpingmamas.org.

As of March 31, 2016, WellCare serves approximately 583,000 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® plan members, 37,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 24,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Georgia. To learn more about how we care for Georgians watch Gloria's story at http://youtu.be/qyn-nywze04.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. WellCare serves approximately 3.7 million members nationwide as of March 31, 2016. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.