Folks Ask Why Detroit Is Not Included In County’s New Pregnant Mom Assistance Plan

The recent introduction of the Rx Kids initiative in Wayne County has garnered significant attention for its dedication to tackling the health and economic difficulties that new mothers face. While this program is redefining maternal and infant health across various cities in the county, Detroit is notably absent from this transformation. Rx Kids, a groundbreaking collaboration with Michigan State University, provides eligible expectant mothers $1,500 during pregnancy and an additional $500 per month for the first six months of their newborn's life. Initially launched in Flint in 2024, it has already supported over 3,900 families with $17 million in cash assistance. The latest expansion targets six communities—River Rouge, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale, and Dearborn—made possible by a $7.5 million investment from Wayne County and an extra $250 million from the state.These municipalities were chosen due to their public health needs and lack of independent health departments, which excludes Detroit, that operates its own health department. With a significant portion of children living below the poverty line, these selected areas reflect some of the county's most pressing challenges in health, housing, and access to care.