Gov. Whitmer Still Won’t Answer Why Michigan Isn’t Reporting COVID-19 Nursing Home Data Gov. Whitmer Still Won't Answer Why Michigan Isn't Reporting COVID-19 Nursing Home Data - Michigan Rising Action

Gov. Whitmer Still Won’t Answer Why Michigan Isn’t Reporting COVID-19 Nursing Home Data

Gov. Whitmer Still Won’t Answer Why Michigan Isn’t Reporting COVID-19 Nursing Home Data

We now know COVID-19 in nursing homes account for 42% of deaths nationwide yet Michigan still hasn’t released data or a thorough plan to protect the most vulnerable.

May 26, 2020

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer again refused to answer why Michigan isn’t reporting COVID-19 data in regards to nursing homes and long term care facilities in the state. At her press conference today, Whitmer asked Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s Chief Medical Executive, to answer the question as she did a couple of weeks ago in regards to her controversial nursing home policy. Khaldun said the state is working on gathering the data but that has been the state’s answer for many weeks now. 

Watch: 

According to a new analysis from the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, 42 percent of COVID-19 deaths nationwide are associated with nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Michigan’s percentage is unknown due to a lack of reporting. 

Michigan has known nursing homes were most vulnerable to COVID-19 before Whitmer’s first stay at home order. Yet, no accurate data for decision-making exists. 

A look back: 

March 8: Crain’s DetroitNursing homes, among the most vulnerable to coronavirus, take steps to prepare
“Many people in nursing homes are a special concern because many have pre-existing conditions, weakened or compromised immune systems and are in close living quarters, many in semi-private rooms.” 

April 3: Bridge MichiganCoronavirus, an ‘almost perfect killing machine,’ hits Michigan nursing homes
“In a review of hundreds of federal inspections, Bridge Magazine identified more than 80 Michigan nursing homes that have been cited for deficiencies in infection control and prevention over the past three years. It’s unclear how many of those homes now have confirmed COVID-19 cases; the state said it does not track the coronavirus by nursing facilities.”

April 7: Bridge Michigan: Michigan Gov. Whitmer: I’m trying to be transparent about coronavirus data
“Unlike many states, Michigan doesn’t report data on hospitalizations, recoveries, intensive care patients, patients on ventilators or the number of cases in nursing homes. That’s not because there’s anything “we want to hide,” Khaldun said.” 

April 20: WWMTState expands COVID-19 testing again; requires nursing homes to report data
“Starting today, every skilled nursing facility is required to report COVID-19 cases to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and next week, we expect to even more reporting requirements for all the long-term care facilities.” – Chief Medical Executive Joneigh Khaldun 

April 24: MLiveMichigan adds nursing home-specific coronavirus data to stat disclosures
“The state plans to release nursing home data on coronavirus deaths, capacity and personal protective equipment per facility.”

May 13: Michigan RadioWhitmer: Michiganders need to keep “doing their part” to avoid a potential spike in COVID-19 cases
“Michigan also recently began reporting the number of cases of COVID-19 in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, but the data are incomplete.”

May 13: Michigan Rising Action: Michigan DHHS Director Confident COVID-19 Nursing Home Deaths Are Undercounted
I do not stand behind that number as an accurate and full accounting of COVID related nursing home deaths and I wouldn’t want us to present it that way… I think that number is probably, in fact, I’m confident that number is an undercount.” – MDHHS Director Robert Gordon

A day after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a third executive order (2020-95) on nursing homes, the Traverse City Record-Eagle Editorial Board wrote that Whitmer’s “COVID ‘hub’ system is a disaster waiting to happen.” This weekend, the Record-Eagle reported on new COVID-19 positive patients being transferred into a regional hub in the area: 

“The hubs were established to offer “load balancing” support to hospitals that otherwise might be overrun, said Lynn Sutfin, a spokesperson for the state’s Department of Health and Human Services during a previous interview.” 

In Michigan, traditional and field hospitals were closed while many hospital systems have laid-off staff while the Whitmer administration continues the ‘hub’ system.

The Whitmer administration has failed to release accurate nursing home data for months. We now know COVID-19 in nursing homes account for 42% of deaths nationwide yet Michigan still hasn’t released data or a thorough plan to protect the most vulnerable. Gov. Whitmer and the state’s Chief Medical Executive Joneigh Khaldun have both said they are following “facts,” “science,” and “data.” How can Michiganders take that statement seriously if the state doesn’t have data on the most vulnerable population to COVID-19? – Tori Sachs, executive director of Michigan Rising Action.

Stay up to date