Now: Senate committee discussing the appointment of Elizabeth Hertel as director of the Department of Health and Human Services. She was appointed after Robert Gordon resigned the role in January freep.com/story/news/hea…
Sen. @SenAricNesbitt asks Hertel to offer 3 specific things she would've done differently to fight pandemic.
- I would have worked to partner more closely with one or two hospitals on the TCF site; would've made process easier.
- Beta-tested messaging for lab and state system
- I would have worked to partner more closely with one or two hospitals on the TCF site; would've made process easier.
- Beta-tested messaging for lab and state system
Last point from Hertel: Would've started planning earlier to send employees home. "We weren't sure how tenacious and aggressive this virus was. We ended up having to make that decision very, very quickly."
Nesbitt asks what the biggest mistake was made by health dept during the pandemic.
Hertel: I'm unsure. Looking back, I'd have to think a lot more. We were always trying to make the next, best decision.
Hertel: I'm unsure. Looking back, I'd have to think a lot more. We were always trying to make the next, best decision.
Nesbitt pushing Hertel to talk about what the department did wrong during the pandemic.
Hertel said many decisions were made in the moment and she would ne to reflect more to give a better answer as to what exactly she would've done differently.
Hertel said many decisions were made in the moment and she would ne to reflect more to give a better answer as to what exactly she would've done differently.
Nesbitt asks how long she believes the health department should be "able to act unilaterally without the approval of the Legislature." Nesbitt asking if health dept. could act as it has forever.
"Could it be? I guess anything could be" but says that's unrealistic
"Could it be? I guess anything could be" but says that's unrealistic
Nesbitt is asking Hertel about power, and those specifically afforded to the health department director during a pandemic or other health emergency.
The definitions for these powers are in the law, as ascribed by lawmakers legislature.mi.gov/(S(sxpaepf5ide…
The definitions for these powers are in the law, as ascribed by lawmakers legislature.mi.gov/(S(sxpaepf5ide…
Nesbitt asks about why Hertel/the dept released the order that involved extending restriction dates for in-person dining.
Hertel said the dept did have a press conference, but it focused on the indoor sports portion
"It certainly wasn't hidden, it certainly wasn't quiet."
Hertel said the dept did have a press conference, but it focused on the indoor sports portion
"It certainly wasn't hidden, it certainly wasn't quiet."
Nesbitt asking about what legislative input Hertel received before issuing indoor sports order that also extended restrictions on indoor dining. No questions yet about what input was received from doctors/other health experts
.@SenEdMcBroom asking about work Hertel/dept does in weighing different factors before issuing emergency order. Specifically asks about influence from people on non-health concerns.
Hertel: There is further discussion on economic impact, examining recovery of 1918 flu pandemic
Hertel: There is further discussion on economic impact, examining recovery of 1918 flu pandemic
.@SenEdMcBroom asking about law Hertel/dept relying on for emergency orders, crafted in wake of 1918 pandemic.
Hertel: I think tools that we have in place in the department have worked well in helping us combat this virus.
(GOP lawmakers want to change law, DHHS/Gov. do not)
Hertel: I think tools that we have in place in the department have worked well in helping us combat this virus.
(GOP lawmakers want to change law, DHHS/Gov. do not)
Sen. Jon Bumstead, R-Newaygo, asking about DHHS decisions on distributing vaccines. (Topic of significant debate today in the Senate).
Hertel: Many variables used, including population and social vulnerability.
On Monday, allocating based on specific local proposals/plans
Hertel: Many variables used, including population and social vulnerability.
On Monday, allocating based on specific local proposals/plans
Bumstead: How is the state ensuring rural areas have access to vaccines, given fewer large pharmacies.
Hertel: State not yet at a point where vaccines can be given to any pharmacy, but wants to do this and use more primary care clinics one supply increases
Hertel: State not yet at a point where vaccines can be given to any pharmacy, but wants to do this and use more primary care clinics one supply increases
Nesbitt asks if Gov. Whitmer or Hertel make final decisions on health orders. Hertel said she does, but discusses them with Whitmer.
"I have the autonomy."
Asked if she's willing to go against the governor, Hertel says yes, but Whitmer has followed the science
"I have the autonomy."
Asked if she's willing to go against the governor, Hertel says yes, but Whitmer has followed the science
Nesbitt asks if media were to FOIA (request) communications between DHHS and governor's office on orders, what would they find.
Hertel says legal discussions and community conversations about fighting the pandemic.
Hertel says legal discussions and community conversations about fighting the pandemic.
Nesbitt: If these are your orders, why does the governor say they're her orders?
Hertel: My authority stems from the governor's appointment.
Hertel: My authority stems from the governor's appointment.
Nesbitt asks if Hertel would support repealing mandates, offering guidelines and allowing people/businesses to make their own decisions.
Hertel: I think, as we see spread/COVID-19 trends improving, that's where we're heading.
Hertel: I think, as we see spread/COVID-19 trends improving, that's where we're heading.
Bumstead asks how DHHS is determining restaurant capacity restrictions.
Hertel says she did not issue original restaurant restriction order. However, she did issue the indoor sports order that included the extension of the indoor dining restrictions michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,…
Hertel says she did not issue original restaurant restriction order. However, she did issue the indoor sports order that included the extension of the indoor dining restrictions michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,…
.@jimananich: What does the state need to do to get back to normal.
Hertel: Masks, social distancing, vaccines, testing.
We're seeing the impact now. The further we get, the more we get into this, the closer we'll get to the end of the pandemic.
Hertel: Masks, social distancing, vaccines, testing.
We're seeing the impact now. The further we get, the more we get into this, the closer we'll get to the end of the pandemic.
Ananich: How can the Legislature better partner with the health department? (He, like GOP colleagues, says communication with dept has improved since she's taken over.)
Hertel: Experts give guidance; it would be best if lawmakers can help us use this expertise to create policy
Hertel: Experts give guidance; it would be best if lawmakers can help us use this expertise to create policy
Nesbitt: What matrix do you use to continue the pandemic orders?
Hertel: We're looking at case rates, positivity rates, hospitalizations and vaccinations.
As we review orders on gatherings, nursing home visitation, dining and other mandates, that's what we review
Hertel: We're looking at case rates, positivity rates, hospitalizations and vaccinations.
As we review orders on gatherings, nursing home visitation, dining and other mandates, that's what we review
Nesbitt: Is there a range on these factors you review, or is it just a "jumbled mess"?
Hertel: It's not a jumbled mess.
This is core debate between GOP lawmakers and dept/gov: the desire for clear metrics to drive health orders, when state says it's too complicated to do that
Hertel: It's not a jumbled mess.
This is core debate between GOP lawmakers and dept/gov: the desire for clear metrics to drive health orders, when state says it's too complicated to do that
Nesbitt: People in the state are frustrated that there isn't specific information dictating how mandates are issued/extended.
Hertel: It's not just a threshold. "We're looking at things that don't have a trigger, we're really looking at things that have a dial." (ranges)
Hertel: It's not just a threshold. "We're looking at things that don't have a trigger, we're really looking at things that have a dial." (ranges)
Nesbitt: So why is 25% capacity for indoor dining okay, but 30% is not?
Hertel: That's what we're examining.
Clearly frustration from Nesbitt, but Hertel acknowledging that's frustrating for her/dept as well.
Hertel: That's what we're examining.
Clearly frustration from Nesbitt, but Hertel acknowledging that's frustrating for her/dept as well.
More discussion today about Michiganders driving across state borders so they can eat inside restaurants.
This is a point that comes up frequently in the Legislature.
With that, cmt wraps up. Sounds like Chair Nesbitt expects to have Hertel back for another hearing next week
This is a point that comes up frequently in the Legislature.
With that, cmt wraps up. Sounds like Chair Nesbitt expects to have Hertel back for another hearing next week
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