Signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits nursing homes from admitting or retaining coronavirus positive individuals for care, among other provisions.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an evaluation of the operation, efficacy, clinical outcomes, and performance of each COVID-19 regional hub that was implemented and operate during the state’s response to coronavirus in nursing homes and provide a detailed report on its evaluation to the house and senate standing committees on health policy, by November 1, 2020 (Sec. 5145).

• Prohibits an individual from being admitted or retained for care in a nursing home if any of the following applies (Sec. 21717):

• The individual requires special medical or surgical treatment, treatment for acute mental illness, developmental disability, communicable tuberculosis, or a communicable disease unless the home is able to provide an area and program for the care;

• The individual has tested positive for coronavirus, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital, and has less than 72 hours remaining in the individual’s overall  isolation period as described in guidelines established by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and

• Beginning November 1, 2020, the individual has tested positive for coronavirus unless either of the following applies:

• The individual has since recovered from coronavirus; or

• The nursing home elects to establish and subsequently demonstrates that it is able to provide a designated area within its facility for individuals who test positive for coronavirus and has a process for retaining and providing the appropriate level of care necessary for individuals who test positive.

• Requires, by November 1, 2020, and every month thereafter, a report to the house and senate standing committees on health policy that includes, but is not limited to all of the following information for each nursing home (Sec. 5145):

• The new number of COVID-19 positive cases among residents and staff;

• The new number of COVID-19 positive cases among residents and staff that are symptomatic versus asymptomatic;

• The new number of COVID-19 deaths among residents and staff; 

• The new number of COVD-19 recoveries among residents and staff;

• The new number of COVID-19 tests conducted on residents and staff; and

• The new number of residents who were transferred out of the facility and into a hospital, care and recovery center, or another facility.

Full Bill Text