Key Insights from the First Citywide Maternal and Infant Cash Prescription Program

A recent survey conducted by Rx Kids provides valuable insights into how Rx Kids is improving the lives of City of Flint families. These survey findings share the much-anticipated early results from Rx Kids.

A prescription for health, hope, and opportunity, Rx Kids is the nation’s first citywide maternal and infant cash prescription program that launched in the City of Flint in January 2024. To date, over $2 million has been prescribed to over 900 mothers. With a near 100% uptake rate, Rx Kids is reaching almost every 2024 newborn in the City of Flint.

The survey, conducted in May 2024, gathered responses from over 112 participants and revealed several key findings that are shaping the lives of Rx Kids enrolled families. Administered by Rx Kids partner, GiveDirectly, the survey was voluntary and designed to assess participant experience and provide real-time feedback to inform program improvements.  

“The benefits of providing economic security to families with young children are built on mountains and mountains of research. It’s the evidence-based policy of evidence-based policies,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, director of Rx Kids and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine associate dean of public health. “Building on this evidence, it is exciting to be able to share some of these first findings from Rx Kids. To no surprise, the results are awesome and further validate the impact of Rx Kids.”

Critical insights indicate that Rx Kids families have improved health care utilization, are more secure in their finances, feel more confident in their parenting, and spend cash prescriptions on items for babies, securing stable housing, and transportation to medical appointments.

Key findings from the survey include:  

• 70% of respondents make less than $10k annually
• 80% of participants feel that Rx Kids has helped them make ends meet and feel more secure in their finances
• 59% of participants say Rx Kids has made it easier to get the health care that their household needs
• 72% of participants feel that Rx Kids has helped to improve the health of themselves and their infants

Many moms report that they felt the money from Rx Kids has helped them become more confident in themselves as parents. Looking deeper at how families spend their cash prescriptions, the top five items cash is spent on include:

1. 88% spent it on baby supplies
2. 78% spent it on food
3. 57% spent it on rent
4. 48% spent it on utility bills
5. 36% spent it on transportation

”[Rx Kids has given me] reduced stress with the knowledge of some sort of financial cushion that can make sure I at least have a roof over my and my children's head.
— Joan, City of Flint Mom

“These survey results offer valuable insights into how families who receive Rx Kids think about and utilize their cash prescriptions,” said H. Luke Shaefer, co-director of Rx Kids and director of Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan. “Families spend their cash prescriptions on their kids and essential household expenses. They report that the program helps them feel financially secure and helps them access the health care they need. I am absolutely thrilled with how well received the program has been.”

In addition to quantitative data, the survey included opportunities for participants to share the impact of Rx Kids qualitatively. Consistent with the data, their statements affirmed the impact of Rx Kids on their financial security, health, and well-being.

“[Rx Kids has given me] reduced stress with the knowledge of some sort of financial cushion that can make sure I at least have a roof over my and my children’s head,” reports Joan, City of Flint Rx Kids mom.

“I know I can get what my baby needs and my bills paid, so I won’t be homeless again,” reports Saysha, City of Flint Rx Kids mom.

“Because I am spending the money only on things me and the baby need, so everything I’ve gotten with the money will be able to help me long term. I’ve been saving half of the money, so when she gets here, we will be financially prepared,” reports Angel, expectant City of Flint Rx Kids mom.

Additional quantitative and qualitative research findings from Rx Kids will be forthcoming in the fall.