State Rep. John Roth (R-Interlochen) today released the following statement after Gov. Whitmer announced that Elizabeth Hertel would be stepping down from her role as Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on June 30th: 

“Elizabeth Hertel’s tenure as Director of the MDHHS has been a catastrophe, and the news of her departure is more than welcome. For years, Hertel repeatedly and deliberately ignored serious crises within youth rehabilitation programs throughout the state. Youth and staff alike deserve treatment environments that guarantee both dignity and safety, yet severe failings continue to be reported. The blatant ineptitude of Hertel’s leadership put lives at risk. 

“Rather than demonstrating the urgency and accountability required of a department entrusted to help our most vulnerable, Hertel’s leadership allowed systemic problems to fester unchecked. The consequences of her failure have undermined public trust and jeopardized the well-being of the individuals she was supposed to protect. Michigan families need a leader who prioritizes transparency and responsiveness, not excuses for continued neglect. I’d say she’d be missed, but I can’t miss a person who never answered my calls or showed up to my committee hearings.”