ICYMI: MDP Applauds Whitmer’s Nursing Home Policy Using Whitmer Administration-Funded Report

May 18, 2022

Lansing, Mich., May 18, 2022 – The Michigan Democratic Party recently “fact checked” criticism of Gretchen Whitmer’s dangerous nursing home policies by citing a study funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, whose board includes a majority of members appointed by the Governor. 

The fact check also touted the Michigan’s Auditor General review of deaths that occured in nursing home facilities, despite the report revealing that deaths were over 40% higher than initially reported. 

Over the course of the pandemic, Gretchen Whitmer’s disastrous nursing home policies have been roundly criticized, while her political allies have resisted calls to investigate. Her policies were highly criticized during the early months of the pandemic, and mounting criticisms as the months continued:

• On April 15, 2020, Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-50, which required long-term care facilities to accept COVID-positive patients, co-mingling with non-COVID patients, despite concerns being raised by nursing home leaders.
• Attorney General Dana Nessel refused to investigate Whitmer’s policy, and the Biden Administration quietly shut down a Department of Justice inquiry into the policies. 
• An Auditor General’s report showed MDHHS did not fully account for COVID deaths in nursing homes.
• Another Auditor General’s report revealed the MDHHS Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program did not conduct in-person visits during the pandemic.

“The Michigan Democratic Party is attempting to gaslight Michiganders who witnessed the impacts of Gretchen Whitmer’s dangerous nursing home policies, ” said Eric Ventimiglia, Executive Director for Michigan Rising Action. Ventimiglia continued, “Michigan families couldn’t visit their loved ones and the government agency meant to be a patient advocate refused to visit facilities. Michigan Democrats want you to forget about all of it.”