In Flint, Cash for Pregnant Women Leads to Better Outcomes for Babies

A new study published in *The Lancet Public Health* shows that Flint, Michigan’s Rx Kids program, which gave pregnant women $1,500 halfway through pregnancy and $500 monthly until their child’s first birthday, improved maternal and infant health outcomes. Between 2021 and 2025, the program reduced premature births by 2.7% and low birth weight by 4.2%, while increasing prenatal care attendance and decreasing smoking rates among participants. The study compared 4,500 births in Flint to similar cities in Michigan, where preterm birth and low birth weight rates had been rising. Researchers found that Flint’s rates declined after the program’s 2024 launch, despite expectations of further increases. Dr. Mona Hanna, director of Rx Kids and senior author of the study, noted that women used the cash to cover transportation and time off work for prenatal visits. Previous research linked Rx Kids to fewer evictions, better maternal health, and reduced child maltreatment investigations. The program now serves 42 Michigan communities. However, other cash transfer studies, like the 2025 ‘Baby’s First Years’ trial, found no significant cognitive or health benefits when families received $333 monthly compared to a $20 control group. Critics argue that small cash amounts may not drive major improvements, while supporters, including UC Berkeley’s Hilary Hoynes, cite the study’s alignment with prior research on cash transfers. The program’s success highlights the potential of targeted financial support during pregnancy and early childhood, a period when expenses rise and income often drops.