BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A new, cash assistance program for moms is coming to Maryland aiming to boost low-income families in coordination with other supports offered in the state.
While on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, Gov. Wes Moore announced Maryland’s new partnership with the Bridge Project, an “unconditional cash pilot” launched in 2021, per the effort’s website. Currently, the program operates in 10 cities and states, with more coming on board soon, including Maryland.
The effort will “provide cash assistance to mothers, prenatal and postnatal mothers to be able to provide cash assistance for them,” Moore said during the MTP interview.
Through the program, 150 expecting moms will receive direct cash assistance totaling $20,000 per family, over three years. Participants will be pulled from Maryland’s three ENOUGH communities – Cherry Hill and Park Heights in Baltimore City, and Hagerstown in Washington County.
“Governor Moore has made maternal health a central pillar of his administration’s healthcare strategy, primarily focusing on health equity and expanding access to care for high-risk populations,” Senior Press Secretary Amma Moussa said. “Recognizing that maternal wellbeing extends beyond clinical care, his administration has championed holistic approaches that address the economic and social drivers of health outcomes for mothers and children.”
The announcement comes amid criticism from Delegate Matt Morgan, a Republican who chairs the Freedom Caucus. Morgan took to social media to express concerns over a recent budget decision that transferred funding away from maternal health programs. During a 2025 budget debate, Morgan highlighted the reallocation of funds intended to address child morbidity.
“And once again, this is just another idea that comes out during a campaign year, I feel, that’s really just duplicate services,” Morgan said during an interview Monday with FOX45 News. “Because if they really actually believed what he was saying on Meet the Press, he wouldn’t have transferred $6.7 million out of that fund this session.”
Maryland’s participation in the Bridge Project will be funding from philanthropy; eligibility will be determined on income and applications are set to open later this month.
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