Dr. Mona Hanna

Michigan's FY2027 budget reallocated $20 million from the Rx Kids program to five line items under the Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) budget. While the House sought to eliminate the funding entirely and the Senate aimed to preserve it, the final agreement leaves $18 million potentially available for Rx Kids through TANF. Program leaders claim the funds will continue to support Rx Kids, but House Speaker Matt Hall argues the reallocated money is not eligible for the program.

Michigan’s Rx Kids cash aid program, which provides no-strings-attached cash assistance to pregnant women and new mothers, is expanding to Cleveland, Ohio. The Ohio version will cover three ZIP codes and 400 moms annually for two years, funded by Cleveland, the O’Neill Foundation, and private donors. The program has shown reduced infant mortality and preterm births in Flint since its 2024 launch.

A study found that neonatal mortality in Flint dropped by 50% after the Rx Kids cash aid program was implemented in 2024, reducing the city's mortality rate to match the rest of Michigan. The program provides $7,500 to families during pregnancy and the first year of a child's life to alleviate financial burdens.

Dr. Mona Hanna founded Rx Kids, a prenatal and infant cash prescription program, which is under state scrutiny. The program claims no tax money is used for undocumented mothers and there are no spending limits.

Michigan GOP lawmakers questioned the Rx Kids program during a House Oversight Committee hearing, focusing on technical requirements while Dr. Mona Hanna highlighted its positive outcomes, including reduced evictions and improved birth outcomes. The program, which has enrolled over 11,700 families, faces potential funding cuts from state House leadership.