Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, a Republican, has raised concerns regarding the Rx Kids program, which has received over $300 million in taxpayer funding. Hall claims that the program, intended to support maternal health, has evolved into a broader initiative that aligns with a guaranteed income agenda. In an interview, Hall stated that lawmakers were initially led to believe they were funding a maternal and prenatal health initiative, rather than what he describes as an experiment in guaranteed income.
The Rx Kids program, launched in Flint in 2024, provides expectant mothers with a $1,500 payment during pregnancy and $500 monthly payments after childbirth. Hall criticized the program for lacking eligibility requirements found in traditional public assistance programs, stating that it provides funds to anyone with a child without verifying citizenship or income. He also noted that some recipients have reportedly misused the funds for non-essential expenses.
Hall's office provided evidence of legislative testimony indicating that payments had been made to individuals not legally present in the U.S. He expressed concerns about the program's advisory network, which includes individuals affiliated with Democratic political figures. Hall stated that House Republicans did not allocate additional funding for Rx Kids in the new state budget but emphasized the need for oversight to ensure that taxpayer dollars are directed to those in genuine need.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office, Rx Kids, and Michigan State University for comments regarding these claims.