Michigan AG looks into requests to investigate state nursing home policy

Nursing home policy a point of contention

LANSING, Mich.Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office is looking into requests to investigate the state’s COVID-19 nursing home policies.

Last week, House Republicans sent a formal letter to the Department of Justice asking for a full investigation into the state’s handling of COVID in nursing homes.

READ: Gov. Whitmer announces nursing home visitation to resume in Michigan

Only eight representatives left their names off the letter, including House Speaker Jason Wentworth. Another 11 republicans signed onto the campaign to impeach Whitmer or force her to resign over the policy. Nessel said her office wants more than just allegations.

“I think oftentimes it is appropriate for the office to investigate. But not just when you say, ‘We don’t like what this policy is.’” Nessel said.

Since the start of the pandemic, the state’s plan to place stable COVID patients in long-term care facilities has been a source of contention.

READ: Michigan lawmakers hold hearing, seek answers about nursing home deaths amid pandemic

The centers for Medicaid, Medicare and the AARP have been calling for Whitmer to release all the state data on nursing home deaths. She addressed that question on CNN over the weekend.

“We have released an incredible amount of data. We have followed the federal requirements. Every step of the way,” Whitmer said.

Despite those calls, Nessel cautioned against an outright investigation for now.

“If you can give us some evidence that there’s been violations of the law, and you can give us some evidence that there was not just conduct that again is bad policy but conduct that violates state or federal statutes, let us know about it for certain. But if not, I get weary of the constant calls for our department to investigate things that are not crimes,” she said.

READ: Tracking COVID-19 cases, deaths in Michigan long term care facilities, nursing homes


About the Authors:

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.