A new study published in The Lancet Public Health found that a cash assistance program in Flint reduced preterm births by 18% and cut neonatal intensive care unit admissions by 29%. The findings are putting pressure on Michigan policymakers to consider whether direct cash payments during pregnancy should become a permanent part of the state's public health strategy.
The Numbers Behind the Program
Rx Kids launched in Flint in January 2024. The program gave every pregnant person in the city $1,500 upfront, followed by $500 a month for the baby's first year.
According to Prism News, the program reached near-100% uptake among City of Flint newborns. That is an unusually broad rollout for a guaranteed income initiative.
The study, conducted by researchers from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, analyzed approximately 4,500 births in Flint from January 2021 through June 2025. The researchers compared outcomes before and after the program launched against similar non-participating communities in Michigan.
The results:
- 18% reduction in preterm births
- 27% decline in low birthweight cases
- 29% decrease in NICU admissions
A Second Study Shows the Ripple Effects
A separate study based on survey data from more than 1,000 mothers in Flint and surrounding areas documented how the cash translated into daily stability, according to Prism News.
Families reported a 91% decrease in evictions. Rent and mortgage debt fell by more than $1,000 on average. The same research found improved access to nutrition and lower rates of postpartum depression.
"Poverty operates as a potent pathogen detrimental to maternal and infant health," said Dr. Mona Hanna, the program's architect and associate dean at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine, according to Science Magazine. "The Rx Kids initiative demonstrates that direct cash assistance during pregnancy and infancy not only alleviates financial hardship but also tangibly reduces medical complications."
Why It Matters for Michigan Policy
The findings arrive as Michigan lawmakers and gubernatorial candidates debate how to address the state's persistent maternal health gaps. Flint's child poverty rate sits at roughly 59%, more than triple the national average.
Sumit Agarwal, a health economist at the University of Michigan, told Science Magazine that the population-level results represent a potential shift in how the state approaches maternal and infant care.
"While individual-specific interventions have held promise, the scalability and population-level efficacy observed in Rx Kids signify a paradigm shift in maternal-infant health strategies," Agarwal said.
Rx Kids leaders said the program has expanded to 42 communities throughout Michigan, reaching more than 11,000 families and delivering over $14.5 million in cash prescriptions, according to Prism News.
The program operates through a public-private partnership between Michigan State University and GiveDirectly, a global nonprofit that administers unconditional cash transfers. It is funded by both state resources and philanthropic contributors.
The Debate Continues
Supporters of Rx Kids argue that poverty itself is a health risk factor during pregnancy and infancy. They point to reduced smoking during pregnancy and increased prenatal care visits as evidence that cash changes health behaviors, not just bank accounts.
Critics of guaranteed-income programs note that results across the broader field have been mixed. The Flint data is strong but does not settle the national debate on whether direct cash payments should be a standard public health tool.
The study used a quasi-experimental design. Researchers noted that future randomized controlled trials could help optimize program parameters and test long-term developmental outcomes for children who received the cash prescriptions.
For now, the data from Flint offers one of the clearest tests yet of whether putting money directly into the hands of pregnant residents can save lives and reduce health care costs at the same time.