Sen. Lana Theis | #MiSenateGOP
Sen. Lana Theis | #MiSenateGOP
Republicans, who dominate the state senate, are asking Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to lift restrictions on nonessential medical and dental procedures, saying the decision to resume such treatments should be left to health care providers, not the government.
“The word 'elective' might imply 'unnecessary.' But in reality, there are thousands living with serious knee or hip pain, with cataracts or dental problems. I even have a friend who can’t get her melanoma treated,” Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton), told a reporter with AP News.
Theis accused Whitmer of having a “lack of faith” in medical professionals to safely do their work. A ban on nonessential medical and dental procedures has been in place for about two months in Michigan.
Senate Republicans adopted a resolution on April 28 calling for lifting the ban. It is the latest move by conservative lawmakers, some of whom have been stridently critical of Whitmer for pushing restrictions too far.
Whitmer has extended an emergency declaration and its stay-at-home order through May 28. The governor has steadfastly maintained such measures are necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
More than 5,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Michigan, with a total of 52,000 cases, according to Michigan.gov.
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