A Michigan program that gives new mothers cash could be a model for rest of U.S.
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FLINT, Mich. — A procession of mothers wearing red sashes, pushing strollers and tending to toddlers made their way Friday to a little festival in Flint, Michigan, where families received diapers and kids played.
It was called a “baby parade.”
ThesashesindicatedthewomenwereparticipantsofagrowingprograminMichiganthathelpspregnantwomenandnewmomsbygivingthemcashoverthefirstyearoftheirchildren’slives.Launchedin2024,theprogramcomesatatimewhenmanyvotersworryoverhighchildcarecostsandPresidentDonaldTrump’sadministrationfloatspolicytoreversethedecliningbirthrate.
Backedbyamixofstate,localandphilanthropicmoney,RxKidsgivesmothersofnewbornsupto$7,500,withnoincomerequirementsandnorulesforhowthemoneyisspent.SupportersbelievetheprogramcouldbeamodelformitigatingthehighcostofhavingchildrenintheU.S.
“There’sallkindsofreasons,nomatterwhatyourpoliticalaffiliationorideologyis,tosupportthis,”saidstateSen.JohnDamoose,aRepublicanandardentsupporteroftheprogram.
