house Resolution No.276
Reps. Berman, Maddock, Glenn, VanWoerkom, Afendoulis, Meerman, Wozniak, Steven Johnson, Wentworth, Mueller, Griffin, Bollin, Filler, Lightner, Paquette, Bellino, Alexander, Crawford, Farrington, Reilly, Hall, Marino, Frederick, Vaupel, Rendon, Hoitenga, Hauck, Kahle, Huizenga, Calley, Wakeman, O'Malley, Wendzel, Webber, Yaroch, Eisen, Slagh, Allor, VanSingel, Whiteford and Miller offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Before COVID-19 made its way into Michigan, one of the most important tasks was keeping the virus out of Michigan’s long-term care facilities. From a very early point, it was abundantly clear nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. The average age of Michigan nursing home residents is 82. Many of these elderly Michiganders have underlying health conditions, which make them more susceptible to the serious complications of COVID-19. Given the nature of nursing homes and the vulnerable status of residents, these facilities have become epicenters of COVID-19 in Michigan and across the country; and
Whereas, Despite knowledge of the significant vulnerabilities of residents in nursing homes to COVID-19, the Whitmer administration was one of very few state administrations across the country to implement a reckless and irresponsible policy that placed COVID-19 residents into nursing homes that also housed non-infected residents; and
Whereas, On April 15, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-50, which required long-term care facilities below 80 percent capacity to create "dedicated units" that are isolated wards to treat medically stable COVID-19 residents. Nursing homes without dedicated units were required to send medically stable COVID-19 patients to nearby "regional hubs" if capacity allowed. Under the order, a "regional hub" is "a nursing home that is designated by [the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)] as a dedicated facility to temporarily and exclusively provide care to COVID-affected residents." There are 21 regional hubs across Michigan, more than 50 percent being located in southeast Michigan where COVID-19 has been more prevalent; and
Whereas, The Whitmer administration is in the process of approving two more regional hubs, despite the Governor admitting in her own press conference and during testimony before a U.S. House subcommittee that her nursing home policy has flaws. This puts even more of Michigan’s most vulnerable individuals in harm’s way; and
Whereas, DHHS has estimated over 3,000 people of all ages who meet eligibility criteria to receive skilled nursing care have been discharged from hospitals or long-term care facilities to a regional hub. Regional hubs also serve as primary residencies for Michiganders; and
Whereas, The Governor’s policies placed COVID-19 patients into nursing homes despite a lack of proper equipment, staffing levels, and protocols to protect residents. In the beginning weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak, the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for long-term care facilities was severely scarce, and testing capabilities were limited. DHHS has admitted that, prior to new testing efforts, testing of both nursing home residents and caregivers was sporadic early on. Even worse, because nursing homes across the state were not required to provide dedicated staff for COVID-19 units, cross-contamination most likely occurred. Nursing homes with staffing shortages had no other option than to have caregivers alternate between COVID-19 wings and general population wings; and
Whereas, As more data is collected, we fear that hundreds of deaths in nursing homes will be attributed to the Whitmer administration’s policies. Recent state reports have indicated nursing home residents account for nearly 25 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in Michigan. This percentage could be much higher, as the Whitmer administration has not been transparent about long-term care facility deaths. Data surrounding long-term care facilities was first reported to be "inaccurate" and "undercounted," and the data available to the public is far from complete; and
Whereas, Better alternatives were available to send COVID-19 patients. Prior to Executive Order 2020-50 being signed, the state entered two separate contracts to open field hospitals to serve as alternate care facilities. The Legislature originally approved the funding to equip the Governor and her administration with the flexibility they needed to care for COVID-19 patients and prevent local hospitals from exceeding capacity. The TCF Center in Detroit and the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi were leased and retrofitted into field hospitals with the capability of housing up to 1,000 patients each. The monthly cost for each has been roughly $1.1 million and $1.32 million per month in taxpayer dollars to lease. The TCF Center closed within a month of opening and after caring for a total of 39 patients. The Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi remains open and has cared for roughly 10 patients; and
Whereas, While the largely unused field hospitals cared for only about 50 patients total, regional hub nursing homes continue to take in COVID-19 patients. This is not just a mistake. It is a fatal error in decision-making. COVID-19 patients should be admitted into field hospitals where millions in taxpayer dollars are being spent to keep the Suburban Collection Showplace field hospital open; and
Whereas, The Governor continues to issue executive orders without changing course on this alarming policy. In fact, Executive Order 2020-95, issued May 20, 2020, stated long-term care facilities that have been deemed regional hubs "must accept COVID-19-affected residents..." This order, which remains in effect today, proves the Whitmer administration remains committed to this practice; and
Whereas, Several unanswered questions remain as to why this policy was ever allowed to exist in the first place. Such a policy is a blatant disregard for human life, and the people of Michigan deserve answers. As duly elected representatives of the people, our top priority is protecting the health and well-being of all Michiganders. These are grandparents, parents, spouses, and siblings being put in danger. We are determined to make sure those involved in this fatal policy are held accountable and that the families impacted by it receive the answers they deserve; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we oppose the Governor’s policies regarding the placement of COVID-19 patients into nursing homes; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor.