The Whitmer Administration mandated that nursing homes admit patients with COVID-19 recklessly exposing the most vulnerable to this virus.
May 7, 2020
Gov. Whitmer’s Executive Order Sends COVID-19 Patients to Nursing Homes While Hospitals Close
As a result of Gov. Whitmer’s executive order, nursing home facilities are required to admit patients who are infected with the virus. At the same time, hospitals in the hardest-hit area of southeast Michigan close and lay off staff. The field hospital in suburban Detroit has five patients. The field hospital in Detroit has stopped accepting patients and as of yesterday was down to one patient.
The New York Times recently reported on a similar troubling problem in New York, New Jersey, and California:
They were admitted for one reason, according to staff members: A state guideline says nursing homes cannot refuse to take patients from hospitals solely because they have the coronavirus…
In contrast to these states, Connecticut and Massachusetts designated certain facilities for Covid-19 patients alone — considered the safest way to free up hospital beds.
The Whitmer Administration mandated that nursing homes admit patients with COVID-19 recklessly exposing the most vulnerable to this virus. At the same time, Michigan saw traditional and field hospitals close and lay off staff. Whitmer has been so focused on becoming Joe Biden’s running mate that she has neglected to properly respond to the health and economic tragedy ravaging our state. – Tori Sachs, executive director of Michigan Rising Action