In a press release on Wednesday Gov. Rick Snyder appointed a task force to review "actions regarding water use and testing in Flint" and to make recommendations for future guidelines. Among those appointed is the Ford School's own Dr. Matthew Davis,
According to experts and officials, since transferring Flint's water source from the City of Detroit to the Flint River in April 2014, Flint’s corrosive water has caused service lines to leach excessive amounts of lead into the city’s water, elevating the level of lead in the blood of infants and children.
"Bringing in outside experts to evaluate our actions and help monitor and advise on potential changes to law, procedures and practices will be key to continuing work on the comprehensive action plan and ensuring safe drinking water for all the residents in Flint and all of Michigan," said Snyder.
Other members of the state task force include Ken Sikkema of Public Sector Consultants, Chris Kolb of the Michigan Environmental Council, Eric Rothstein of the Galardi Rothstein Group, and Dr. Lawrence Reynolds of the Mott Children's Hospital.
Dr. Matthew Davis is professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at the University of Michigan Health System and professor of public policy at the Gerald R. Ford School at the University of Michigan. He serves as deputy director of U-M's Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and previously as the chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Community Health/Department of Health and Human Services.