Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is calling on the U.S. Senate to take action to provide assistance for states that are facing extreme financial hardships due to COVID-19.
Whitmer shared slides showing just how much has been spent on COVID-19. The cost out of pocket has been hundreds of millions of dollars for health care alone. At the same time, the state is facing a severe loss of tax revenue due to the stay-at-home order and the closure of many businesses.
“Right now the language in the CARES Act does not allow them to spend money on needs in the existing budget, even if they have lost money due to COVID-19,” Whitmer explained.
She says Congress and President Trump need to do more, and if the federal government does not step in Michigan is in a crisis facing at least a $3 billion dollar deficit.
She also said one of her major priorities is funding education. With state lawmakers suggesting we could face up to $2,000 cut per pupil due to the deficit, the governor said federal help can prevent steep cuts.
“The best way to ensure that doesn’t happen is for the federal government to get this 4th supplemental done,” Whitmer said.
WXYZ also asked the governor a question we have heard from numerous families. Why hasn’t she banned COVID-19 patients from getting care in nursing homes?
“They only accept patients if they have the appropriate PPE or have a dedicated unit," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive. "We still have to do more work to make sure our nursing home residents have some place safe to go and we continue to work on that.”
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help businesses and restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
Also, get information about Rebound Mid Michigan, with stories, information and more about coming back from COVID-19
Join the Rebound Mid Michigan Facebook Group.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
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