The Michigan Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force was created by Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order No. 2020-135 as an advisory body in the Department of Health and Human Services to adequately inform the state’s response to a potential second wave of COVID-19. The Task Force is charged with, among other things, coordinating across state government and with industry stakeholders to ensure a broad range of input from relevant entities, analyzing relevant data on the threat of COVID-19 in nursing homes and making recommendations to the governor on improving data quality, reporting on best practices to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes and provide appropriate and timely technical assistance to nursing homes.
The Task Force will produce a recommendation to the governor for an action plan on how to prepare nursing homes for any future wave of COVID-19 cases by August 31, 2020. The Task Force will dissolve no later than two years after the issuance of the executive order unless the governor orders otherwise.
The Task Force consists of the director of DHHS or his designee, the director of LARA or her designee, the Michigan State Long Term Care Ombudsman, two members of the Michigan Senate, two members of the House of Representatives, and 13 members appointed by the Governor who have personal or professional interest in the health, safety, and welfare of nursing home residents and workers.
Statute
Current Members
Trece Andrews, Detroit
Term expires June 26, 2022
Renee L. Beniak, Fowlerville
Term expires June 26, 2022
Dr. Betty Shu-wein Chu, Birmingham - Co-Chair
Term expires June 26, 2022
Ann M. Hepfer, Mayville
Term expires June 26, 2022
David E. Herbel, East Lansing
Term expires June 26, 2022
Alison E. Hirschel, East Lansing
Term expires June 26, 2022
Steven M. Kastner, Plymouth
Term expires June 26, 2022
Dr. Preeti N. Malani, Ann Arbor
Term expires June 26, 2022
Hari "Roger" Mali, II, Bingham Farms - Co-Chair
Term expires June 26, 2022
Mia K. Moore, Clinton Township
Term expires June 26, 2022
Melissa K. Samuel, Lansing
Term expires June 26, 2022
Kari L. Sederburg, East Lansing
Term expires June 26, 2022
Melissa Seifert, DeWitt
Term expires June 26, 2022
Robert Gordon
Director, DHHS
Orlene Hawks
Director, LARA
Salli Pung
Michigan State Long Term Care Ombudsman
State Senator Rosemary Bayer
State Senator Curt VanderWall
State Representative Leslie Love
State Representative Hank Vaupel
