Michigan House Speaker Targets $300 Million Rx Kids Program as GOP Blocks New Funding
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 6
Michigan House Speaker Targets $300 Million Rx Kids Program as GOP Blocks New Funding
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 6
Summary
$300 million in taxpayer-backed Rx Kids funding is under renewed attack after Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall said Republicans excluded new money from the latest state budget and want tighter guardrails.
Hall said lawmakers were sold a maternal-health initiative but instead funded unrestricted cash payments — $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 a month after birth — that he cast as a guaranteed-income model.
He argued the program lacks income and legal-status checks used in Medicaid, SNAP and WIC, and said committee testimony showed some payments went to people not legally present in the United States.
Hall also pointed to podcast remarks by Rx Kids leaders about scaling the model, plus advisory and voter-turnout links he said warrant scrutiny, while the program still retains previously appropriated funds.