Gov. Whitmer Vetoes Law Due to Senior Safety Concerns; Creates Task Force

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has vetoed state Senate legislation which would have imperiled the health of Michigan's nursing community residents and other COVID-19-positive patients, reports WILX 10 . She dismissed the bill as "nothing more than a political game that would relocate vulnerable seniors without any requirement for consent, doctor's approval, or notification to patients and their families." Michigan Senior Advocates Council Chairperson Linda Cook MacDonald expressed her organization's support for Whitmer's veto. "This legislation puts seniors at greater risk by failing to provide the enhanced and qualified staffing needed for their protection," she declared. Separately, Whitmer has established the Michigan Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in anticipation of a second wave of infections. Its mission is to analyze data on COVID-19 risks and threats in nursing communities; provide recommendations to the governor on improving data quality; and issue periodic reports on its findings and recommendations. The task force is scheduled to publish its initial report on Aug. 31.