A resolution co-sponsored by Rep. Bronna Kahle – opposing nursing home policies which have put the lives of Michigan seniors in danger during the COVID-19 era – was approved with bipartisan support this week by the state House.

Gov. Whitmer has continued with a plan that places COVID-19 patients into long-term care facilities – putting individuals who have tested positive under the same roof as healthy residents. The irresponsible policy remains in place even though one-third of Michigan’s COVID-19 deaths have occurred in nursing homes.

“Other states that had implemented the same strategy quickly realized the mistake and reversed course – but tragically, Michigan has not,” said Kahle, of Adrian, who ran a senior center before her election to the Legislature. “This is an irresponsible policy that continues to put our moms and dads, grandparents and other loved ones at risk.”

Senior citizens, especially those in nursing homes, are particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. Yet under the governor’s policy, nursing homes without dedicated spaces to isolate and tend to COVID-19 patients are required to send them to regional hubs – a separate nursing home which has been approved by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. A June 15 executive order continues to require hubs to accept patients.

“During a challenging time that can be stressful for anyone, some of our state’s most vulnerable residents have been forced into isolation and danger because of poor decisions by government bureaucrats,” Kahle said. “This policy must be reversed, and I will continue to be the voice for those put in danger until it is reversed.”

Kahle continues to call for the administration to release more information related to this policy, which the governor has acknowledged is flawed.

The resolution is HR 276.