Rx Kids: A Cash Prescription for Pregnant Moms & Babies

About this episode

The episode discusses a cash assistance program for expecting and new mothers and its impact on community health and political collaboration.

What if the prescription wasn't a pill, but cash? Rx Kids gives expecting and new mothers up to $7,500, no questions asked. Laura Keen from GiveDirectly explains why giving money to everyone — not just the poorest — actually works better, why nearly every eligible mom in Flint signed up, and what happened to preterm births, evictions, and depression when communities invested in families from day one. Plus, how a program centered on babies united both sides of the political aisle. Reference...

People in this episode

Guest: Laura Keen

Topics covered

• cash assistance
• maternal health
• community investment
• political unity
• preterm births
• mental health

Keywords

• cash prescription
• pregnant moms
• new mothers
• preterm births
• evictions
• depression
• community investment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: GiveDirectly

Places: Flint

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