Michigan Lawmaker Moves to Halt $42 Million Rx Kids Cash Program for New Mothers

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 11

$42 million in direct aid to more than 12,000 families is now under threat as Michigan Rep. Jay DeBoyer pushes to shut down or overhaul the Rx Kids cash program for pregnant mothers.
DeBoyer says the initiative lacks guardrails, independent proof of effectiveness and spending limits, arguing its $1,500 upfront payment plus $500 monthly for a year amounts to a no-strings-attached welfare program.
The challenge escalated after a June 2 House Oversight hearing, where Republicans questioned whether Rx Kids is effectively a guaranteed income program and criticized roughly $45 million in administrative costs.
Program leaders reject that characterization, saying Rx Kids is a targeted child allowance with fraud controls and audits; they say only about 15% of state funds go to administration.
Launched in Flint in 2024 and expanded to cities including Detroit, Rx Kids has bipartisan roots and nearly $400 million in commitments, but growing GOP opposition now threatens its future.