A Republican Michigan state representative has accused Democratic Gov Gretchen Whitmer of undercounting the number of deaths in nursing homes during the pandemic - by as much as 30 percent.
In a statement released Wednesday, Rep. Steven Johnson slammed an upcoming report detailing the death toll at long-term health facilities in the state, set to be released to the public Saturday by the state's auditor general.
In the scathing statement, the Republican accused Whitmer of manipulating the data to cover a mess created by her early-pandemic policies, and affirming that residents deserve to know the truth.
According to current data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there were 6,216 resident deaths have been linked to COVID-19 in Michigan’s licensed long-term care homes - which include skilled nursing facilities as well as adult foster care and homes for the aged.
The charge leveled at the high-profile Democrat echoes the scandal created by then-New York Gov Andrew Cuomo after his administration admitted fudging the number of deaths in health care facilities.
In a statement released Wednesday, Rep. Steven Johnson slammed an upcoming report detailing the death numbers of long-term health facilities in the Great Lakes State set to be released to the public Saturday by the state's auditor general
'While I am eager to thoroughly review the full report,' Johnson wrote, 'what has been made clear is a sizable and shocking undercount of COVID-19 deaths at long-term care facilities in Michigan.'
Johnson, the head of the state's House Oversight Committee, went on to reveal that he had received a letter from the Michigan Department of Health contradicting the Auditor General's findings.
In the letter, according to Johnson, the government agency claimed that a previous tally of COVID-19 nursing home deaths done by state officials was an astounding 30 percent lower than what the auditor general's office found.
'The number reported by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration was 30 percent lower than what the Auditor General has found,' Johnson wrote.
'A 30% increase over what we initially thought,' the Republican went on. 'That’s very troubling.'
The scathing statement specifically honed in on the state's Governor Gretchen Whitmer, with Johnson accusing the democrat of manipulating data to cover up a mess created by her early-pandemic policies of housing COVID-positive patients at some long-term health facilities
He added: 'As chair of the House Oversight Committee, I believe it is my duty to uncover the truth for the people of Michigan – while providing them with needed accountability and transparency as it pertains to their state government.
'Not just for those who are Republicans or those who are Democrats. All people. That is why I sought this audit.
'I think the people in Michigan deserve better.'
An official report from the state is set to release next week detailing the number of deaths in nursing homes during the pandemic. Johnson asserts that the report's findings are inaccurate
In the brazen bulletin, Johnson blamed Whitmer's office for the inconsistency, criticizing her policies early in the pandemic of housing COVID-positive patients at some long-term health facilities.
'Our committee will continue to look at why there was this discrepancy, as well as what changes are needed to ensure future reporting reflects precision instead of polling numbers.
'We have now seen the true scope of Gov. Whitmer’s disastrous policies, and we must ensure these tragic circumstances do not happen again. There is frankly a lot to answer for, and our legislative panel will be working to get those answers.'
The Democrat governor came under federal scrutiny
