The Michigan House of Representatives approved a concurrent resolution on Thursday demanding transparency from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer about information related to the coronavirus in Michigan and officially opposing her coronavirus nursing home policies.
Michigan only recently began publishing data about coronavirus cases and deaths in the state’s long-term care facilities like nursing homes.
As of Wednesday, the state had more than 7,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus among residents of long-term care faiclities and 1,976 confirmed deaths occurring in long-term care facilities, according to data collected by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
“Throughout this devastating COVID-19 crisis the governor has issued over 100 executive orders based on healthcare data and science she has gathered,” said Michigan Rep. Luke Meerman (R-88-Coopersville) in a statement. “Unfortunately, that data has not been shared with the Legislature, effectively leaving us and the 90,000 constituents we represent in the dark. This resolution is imperative for us, the representatives of the people, to have access to the same science and data the governor has been talking about for months but is unwilling to share.”
Current policy requires nursing homes, if possible, have separated facilities for coronavirus-positive residents. Patients confirmed to have coronavirus may also be sent to regional “hubs.”
Tori Sachs, executive director of Michigan Rising Action, praised the House’s passing of the resolution. Sachs has repeatedly called for Whitmer to be more transparent about nursing home data related to the coronavirus.
“It’s clear that Gov. Whitmer’s nursing home policy is placing seniors at the greatest risk from COVID-19 in immediate and ongoing danger,” Sachs said in a statement. “It’s encouraging to see the Michigan House of Representatives support changes to Whitmer’s dangerous policy and concerning that there are members who support continuing it.”
Meerman said residents of Michigan deserve detailed answers.
“Not long ago when the governor was a legislator, she stood in the shadows of the Capitol building saying she was not afraid of the people and proclaimed the people run our state,” Meerman said. “Does she no longer believe in transparency? As state legislators, we have been asked to serve by our constituents…The people of Michigan deserve to know and see the science and data being used when the governor is issuing her executive orders.”
The bill will now be sent to the Senate.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
