<Home
More transparency needed to tackle COVID-19 in Michigan
RELEASE|April 9, 2020

By State Rep. Bronna Kahle

As the number of cases and deaths from COVID-19 continue to grow in Michigan, transparency and accuracy in reporting is a must. I’m calling on the state of Michigan to share necessary information and more complete data relevant to the coronavirus in southeast Michigan and to the entire state. Sick patients are being forced to wait in parking lots at Beaumont Hospital. Their dedicated doctors and nurses are working tirelessly around the clock, so why are people waiting? They are waiting because the hospital is backlogged, and information about bed availability at nearby hospitals is unavailable.


What is even more unsettling is that the data exists and is available to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, but it simply has not been disseminated to the hospitals that desperately need the information.


Lack of information from the department isn’t unique to medical professionals; it has been a major roadblock for me and other legislators as well – inhibiting the ability to make informed decisions that could help tackle the coronavirus issue in our state and understand where and what resources are most needed.


Recently, two of my House colleagues sent a letter to Michigan Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun requesting more information relevant to the state of coronavirus in Michigan. The letter urged the governor’s administration to work with the Legislature and release further and more detailed information related to coronavirus in the state. The letter requests the following information:
• Bed capacity and availability numbers by hospital
• Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 by hospital
• Average length of stay for COVID-19-patients in hospitals
• Aggregate data on the age and health conditions of patients prior to contracting COVID-19
• Number of medical ventilators by hospital
• General information related to personal protective equipment supplies by hospital


I echo the concerns brought forward by this letter and urge the administration to work with the health care professionals and the Legislature. Data collection and dissemination is integral to crisis response. Without necessary information, it is impossible to make informed decisions for the greater good of patients, families, workers and businesses across the state.


On the front end of Michigan’s COVID-19 action, I supported an emergency budget action plan to address evolving challenges with the spread of the virus. This plan provides $50 million for immediate needs such as virus monitoring and testing, $50 million for critical health care providers to expand capacity for coronavirus response, and $50 million to keep in reserve for when necessary.


As confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan have surpassed 20,000 and with the number of deaths approaching 1,000, so grows the strain on resources and health care providers. I believe there is more the state can do to help, but until more data is made available, the ability to make informed decisions is severely limited. All branches of government must work together to be proactive and protect the people of Michigan from the effects of the virus. I am confident that if we work together, we can save lives and end this pandemic.

###

Michigan House Republicans

© 2009 - 2024 Michigan House Republicans. All Rights Reserved.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.