Universal Unconditional Cash Transfers for Pregnant and Postpartum Women: Necessary but Insufficient

Abstract

[...]pregnancy can both lead to and worsen financial burden among expectant and new parents.1 DISPARITIES IN PERINATAL HEALTH Poverty is highly correlated with multiple conditions that can harm pregnant and postpartum women and their children. Low income is associated with food insecurity, unstable housing, and unhealthy neighborhood conditions, all of which can be detrimental to maternal and infant health. [...]poverty, particularly during the perinatal period, can increase maternal stress, which can lead to mental health disorders and physical chronic disease, thus increasing the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality.2 This is of great concern given that in recent years maternal deaths because of cardiovascular disease and other medical conditions have increased in the United States. [...]BFY was implemented during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is possible that economic and health hardships outweighed the impact of the program or that other government programs during the pandemic washed out meaningful effects.5 Rx Kids was launched in 2024, after the height of the pandemic, and-unlike BFY-begins cash distribution prenatally, which is when the stress of motherhood starts for many women. [...]while BFY was a meanstested program, Rx Kids is universal within a low-income community, where 59% of children live in poverty and 57% of the community identify as Black or African American. [...]states will likely soon receive fewer dollars to spend on benefits, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and TANF.10 Given the medical importance of addressing poverty in the perinatal period and the potential effectiveness of cash-benefit programs in improving maternal health, this is the exact opposite of what should be done.