A new proposal in Congress could provide Americans with $500 monthly payments without any strings attached.
Democratic Representatives Adam Schiff and Bonnie Watson Coleman introduced the Guaranteed Additional Income for Families in Need (GAIN) Act.
Schiff emphasized that families struggling financially face negative health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease and depression.
Direct aid programs have shown that recipients often spend the additional income on essentials like childcare, food, and rent, helping them escape poverty.
The federal program is modeled after successful guaranteed income programs in cities like Stockton and Long Beach, California.
Michael Tubbs, founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, stated that guaranteed income improves productivity, reduces stress, and enhances community well-being.
The GAIN Act proposes 10 guaranteed income programs across the US, offering $500 monthly to Medicaid beneficiaries who meet certain low-income requirements.
While some experts like Alex Beene and Michael Ryan highlight the benefits of guaranteed income, Beene notes that legislative support may be challenging due to existing stigmas around such programs.