MIDLAND, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, in conjunction with Miller Johnson Law Firm, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of three medical practices who are unable to provide necessary care and a patient who is unable to schedule an important surgery due to current executive orders.
According to the Mackinac Center, One plaintiff, Grand Health Partners, operates in the Grand Rapids area. It performs endoscopies and other elective surgeries, many of which were deemed nonessential by executive order.
The Center says that due to the shutdown, many of its patients, including one needing to repair a damaged feeding tube, were unable to be treated. Another patient was forced to postpone gallbladder surgery and ended up developing gangrene.
“This shutdown is risking lives and imperiling health,” President of Grand Health Partners and practicing surgeon Dr. Randal Baker said. “The curve has been flattened. There will likely be spikes of cases in the future, but we can’t shut down non-COVID health care every time. We need to reassess the best practices to save the most lives, particularly where COVID-19 cases are low.”
Two other plaintiffs in the case are Wellston Medical Center and Primary Health Services, two family practice and urgent care clinics in Wellston and Ludington. Both say that they have experienced similar challenges.
Jordan Warnsholz, a physician assistant and owner of both practices, says he is unable to see patients who need in-person monitoring for chronic conditions. Warnsholz says this has led to heart attacks, depression and suicide attempts by some of his patients.
“Not only has this shutdown harmed my employees and my practice, but it has put my patients directly at risk,” Warnsholz said. “These oppressive executive orders are meant to save lives, but instead, they are endangering many of them.”
Jeffery Gulick is another plaintiff named in the suit, who says he was scheduled to have surgery meant to help his knee. This procedure was canceled under the order.
“Under both the state constitution and federal law, the governor doesn’t have the power to unilaterally shut down health care providers in the state,” director of the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation and vice president of legal affairs at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy Patrick Wright said.
The complaint can be viewed in full at this link.
