MICHIGAN — The Justice Department sent letters to governors of Michigan and three other Democratic-led states seeking data on whether they violated federal law by ordering public nursing homes to accept recovering COVID-19 patients from hospitals. Those actions have been criticized for potentially fueling the spread of the virus.
Prosecutors said their fact-finding letters also sent to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York were aimed at determining whether the orders “may have resulted in the deaths of thousands of elderly nursing home residents.”
Spokespeople for three of the governors said the inquiry was political.
"We will review this letter and respond as appropriate," Governor Whitmer responded. "The fact that this letter was sent during the middle of the Republican National Convention week to four Democratic governors should make it crystal clear that this is nothing more than election year politics by an administration that is more concerned with the president's re-election campaign than protecting Michigan seniors.
