Update on $18.5 Million Cut to Rx Kids – Rx Kids Continues
December 23, 2025
We have been working tirelessly to assess the impact of the unexpected funding reversal from the Michigan House Appropriations Committee, but our focus remains where it belongs: on moms and babies. When we make a promise, we keep it. It is unconscionable to take anticipated support away from families, especially when families are depending on those critical resources for rent, childcare, maternity leave, and prenatal care.
Thanks to the swift action of our partners—including funders, MDHHS, local champions, and the powerful voices of moms across Michigan—Rx Kids is still running and cash payments are continuing. Rx Kids remains open for enrollment in all participating sites. We extend our deepest gratitude to the moms, partners, and elected officials who raised their voices in support of this program.
Rx Kids is Michigan’s first-in-the-nation prenatal and infant cash prescription program, addressing the affordability crisis and delivering proven results for families across the state. Since launching in Flint in 2024, we’ve expanded to 20 communities, providing over $20 million in cash prescriptions to more than 4,800 families. Moms and babies are healthier, families are more stable, and local economies are stronger.
Just two months ago, the Legislature, in a bipartisan vote, called for the expansion of this efficient and effective program to more Michigan communities. The recent clawback of $18.5 million in already-approved funding interrupts that momentum and threatens expansion. If these cuts are not reversed, Rx Kids will expand to fewer communities and an estimated 6,000 babies will miss out on life-changing support.
The outpouring of support has given us tremendous hope. The evidence is clear, the need is real, and we will stay the course in delivering this proven across Michigan and beyond. Our commitment to babies is unwavering; we are optimistic that the Legislature will reaffirm their same commitment in the days, weeks and years to come.
Statement from Rx Kids on House Appropriation Actions
December 10, 2025
Today, the Michigan House Appropriations Committee voted to cut $645 million in work project funding, which included $18.5 million in funding for Rx Kids. This was not new money, it had been allocated by the Legislature and signed into law to support Rx Kids expansion to moms and babies in 19 Michigan communities.
We have already heard from many of you expressing deep concern, and we share the seriousness of this moment, especially this close to the holidays. Rx Kids is currently reaching thousands of families in 20 communities, and 19 of those sites stand to be directly affected. Those sites include: City of Kalamazoo, Eastern UP counties of Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac, and Chippewa, Oakland County cities of Pontiac, Hazel Park, and Royal Oak Township, Wayne County cities of River Rouge, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale, and Dearborn, mid-Michigan counties of Clare, Gladwin and Roscommon, and the City of Ypsilanti.
Without this funding, there is a significant risk of a pause or even a halt to the program, despite our strongest commitments to the families we serve.
Since launching in 2024, Rx Kids has grown from one community to 20, reaching more than 4,600 families. Incredibly efficient and effective, the program has already shown tremendous impact: stronger family financial stability, improved maternal mental health, healthier birth outcomes with fewer premature and low birth weight babies, reductions in infant maltreatment allegations, and millions of dollars saved in health care, as well as millions of dollars in local economic stimulus supporting small businesses and local economies.
In the FY2026 state budget– which was just passed two months ago, Michigan made a historic bipartisan commitment to expand Rx Kids to even more families. However, FY2026 funding is not yet available, as contracts are not in place.
We are working around the clock with state leaders, budget officials, and community and philanthropic partners to understand what options remain. Our priority is protecting Michigan families—especially pregnant moms and newborns—who are already experiencing the health, financial, and emotional benefits of this program.
We remain committed to doing everything possible to sustain this transformative work and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
