Has The Flint Water Crisis Made It Into Michigan's Investigative Gubernatorial Race?

Ah, the Flint water crisis has now made its way into the Michigan gubernatorial campaign! 


Perhaps, not intentionally, but it is now.

Feds side with Gov. Snyder, ask court to lift orders tied to Flint water crisis

FLINT, MI -- Federal health officials are joining with Gov. Rick Snyder and the state Department of Health and Human Services in asking that protective orders blocking state agencies from health information tied to the Flint water crisis be lifted.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services filed a brief Friday, Oct. 14, in support of the Michigan DHHS, which is asking the state Court of Appeals to block protective orders issued by Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut.

The orders limit the information DHHS can receive from the Genesee County Health Department and McLaren-Flint regarding cases of Legionella and Legionnaires' disease while special prosecutors are still investigating criminal wrongdoing related to the Flint water crisis.

But, wait!  The Michigan Attorney General has his own special appointed investigation going on and it is pretty darn nasty.

DHHS involvement in water investigation would taint probe, attorneys tell court

FLINT, MI -- Allowing the state Department of Health and Human Services to investigate legionella cases at McLaren Flint hospital would serve no purpose but to compromise ongoing criminal investigations tied to the Flint water crisis, according to attorneys defending a Genesee County Circuit judge's ruling.

In filings with the Michigan Court of Appeals on Friday, Sept. 2, attorneys for the county countered a DHHS complaint, which seeks to give the agency access to and information from McLaren -- something protective orders issued by Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut forbid.

The orders limit information that DHHS can receive from the county Health Department and McLaren regarding cases of legionella and Legionnaires' disease while special prosecutors are still investigating criminal wrongdoing in the Flint water crisis.

So, why is the U.S. HHS taking the side of Governor Snyder?  I am guessing it has to do with one of those bullshit pitches about being able to care for the children.

If Michigan cannot even care for families and children not in foster care, then how do you think the rest of them are fairing? 

Perhaps Mr. Schuette and the boys will take this opportunity to look into the Michigan DHHS child welfare programs and its revenue maximization schemes.

Foster care families and children impacted by Flint's water crisis

FLINT (WJRT) - (08/31/16) - The water crisis is having an impact on foster care in Flint.

Children already go through a lot being put into the system, so for them and for the parents who take them in, the contaminated water adds another layer of intimidation and concern.

Jennifer Stevens, the Program Director at Samaritas Foster Care Services in Flint says, "They already experience, because of the trauma, educational issues, developmental issues, and medical issues. This could increase those concerns, immediately but also long-term, so it's really important for us to know what's going on with those children, so we can make sure their needs are being taken care of. "

Wednesday evening, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services held a resource fair for foster parents and for those considering opening their homes to children in need.

The goal is to make sure they know they're not alone in dealing with the water crisis fallout and to connect them with agencies who can help.

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