The Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) praised Michigan’s new bipartisan budget that expands programs that help mothers, newborns, and schoolchildren.
Lawmakers recently approved a state budget that includes $270 million over three years to expand Rx Kids, the state’s prenatal and infant support program that offers direct financial aid to pregnant women and new mothers, MCC reported in a news release. The initiative provides a $1,500 payment to expectant mothers who enroll, followed by $500 monthly for up to a year after the baby’s birth.
Since launching in 2024, Rx Kids has distributed more than $16 million to nearly 4,000 families and supported the births of almost 3,000 babies, according to its website. More than 60% of participants report annual household incomes below $20,000. The funds help families afford baby supplies, rent, food, and utilities.
With the new state investment, Rx Kids expects to reach nearly 100,000 babies across Michigan.
“For years, the Church has been inviting others to join us in walking with mothers in need, to ensure that no woman has to face pregnancy alone and that every woman has the support and love she needs to fulfill her vocation to motherhood,” Rebecca Mastee, policy advocate for MCC, said in the release. “We are grateful the Legislature has re-prioritized a substantial amount of funding toward a program providing material support to mothers in need during a crucial stage of life for herself and her baby.”
The Rx Kids funding appears in House Bill 4706, the state government budget bill, which passed the Senate 31-5 and the House 101-8, according to MCC.
The budget also strengthens school safety with $321 million statewide, including $14 million in security improvement grants for nonpublic schools, $3.5 million for school resource officers, and $3.5 million for mental health services. The education funding levels are included in the school budget bill, Senate Bill 166, which passed the Senate 31-5 and the House 104-5.
MCC said it worked throughout the budget process to ensure nonpublic schools were covered by the safety measures, citing the urgent need for enhanced security, especially in light of the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis earlier this year.
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