Gov. Whitmer Vetoes Nursing Home Protection Bill As Majority Of COVID Outbreaks Are Attributed To Nursing Homes

Whitmer vetoed legislation to protect them and is waiting another month before announcing much-needed policy changes.

July 31, 2020

Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed bipartisan legislation today aimed at protecting residents of Michigan’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities which account for over 2,000 COVID-19 deaths. Earlier this week, Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun stated that there were 78 identified COVID-19 outbreaks last week and about 31 percent of those – or 24 cases – were associated with nursing homes and other adult long-term care facilities – the most of any industry. 

Instead of taking action to protect seniors in the places where COVID-19 is spreading the most in the state, Whitmer signed executive orders opening Detroit’s casinos, closing some restaurants, and limiting family gatherings. 

Gov. Whitmer’s administration stated just days ago that nursing homes are where the majority of COVID outbreaks are happening in the state and it’s detrimental to the health of our seniors that Whitmer vetoed a bill aimed at keeping COVID out of nursing homes. Michigan’s seniors in nursing homes and long-term care facilities deserved a plan to keep them safe immediately and instead, Whitmer vetoed legislation to protect them and is waiting another month before announcing much-needed policy changes. – Tori Sachs, executive director of Michigan Rising Action