Good Riddance to Liz Hertel

Lansing, MI – Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel announced yesterday that she would be leaving her post just months before Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s term expires. Whitmer has faced widespread criticism over many of her executive appointments due to their incompetence or corruption, and Elizabeth Hertel is no exception.

For starters, Hertel was an architect of some of the governor’s draconian COVID-19 restaurant closure policies, and, like the governor, Hertel also ignored the rules she imposed on other Michiganders. Despite cautioning people to delay or cancel trips during a COVID-19 spike, she traveled to Alabama for a family vacation.

Sadly, hypocrisy is not the worst of Hertel’s legacy. She has also been panned for her leadership, or lack thereof, when it comes to Child Protective Services (CPS). Last year, Marquette’s Chief Assistant County Prosecutor testified to the failures of MDHHS/CPS, and how they would encourage employees to avoid helping children so it seemed like Hertel’s programs were working:

As MDHHS Director, Hertel also funneled millions of taxpayer dollars to her own nonprofit. While the board chair of the Michigan Public Health Institute, the organization received nearly $180 million from MDHHS. When pressed by lawmakers, Hertel could not explain how her organization used the money.

These issues do not even begin to touch the waste and fraud that occurred on her watch. There were millions of misallocated dollars in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) alone. More than $4 million dollars meant for struggling Michigan families went to out-of-state residents.

“When we consider the failures, the corruption, and the incompetence of Gretchen Whitmer’s appointees, Elizabeth Hertel is in a class of her own,” said Gabe Butzke, a spokesperson for Michigan Forward Network. “Parents and public health officials across Michigan can breathe a sigh of relief now that she is finally on her way out.”