Andrew Cuomo to Testify on COVID-19 Nursing Home Policies in NY

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to testify publicly before Congress regarding his administration’s nursing home policies during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This hearing will take place before the Republican-led House Oversight and Accountability Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

During this session, Cuomo will have the opportunity to defend his controversial decision that allowed COVID-19-positive patients to return to nursing homes and long-term care facilities at a time when the virus was spreading rapidly. This public testimony follows a closed-door hearing in June, where Cuomo, along with high-ranking officials from his administration, was questioned. Transcripts from that prior session are set to be released ahead of the upcoming public hearing.

Rep. Brad Wenstrup, the subcommittee chairman from Ohio, highlighted the importance of this hearing, stating that Cuomo “owes answers to the 15,000 families who lost loved ones in New York’s nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.” He emphasized the significance of the public hearing, noting that it will provide Americans the chance to hear directly from Cuomo regarding New York’s nursing home policies that many consider to have led to tragic outcomes.

In March 2020, as COVID-19 cases surged, Cuomo issued an order mandating nursing homes to readmit residents who were deemed “medically stable” after being hospitalized for COVID-19. The order specified, “No resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the [nursing home] solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19.” This directive further stipulated that nursing homes could not require testing for COVID-19 prior to admitting these residents.

At that time, Cuomo argued that this measure was needed to expand hospital capacity for the most critically ill COVID-19 patients. Nevertheless, after facing backlash from nursing home advocates and stakeholders, he modified the policy in May 2020. This amendment prohibited hospitals from discharging patients to nursing homes unless they tested negative for the virus.

Despite the criticism, Cuomo defended his policies robustly. In July 2020, a report from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) concluded that the introduction of COVID-19 into nursing homes was primarily due to infected staff. It also noted a correlation between peak staff infections and the surge in deaths among nursing home residents. The report asserted that admission policies did not significantly impact the mortality rate in these facilities.

However, in January 2021, a report released by New York Attorney General Letitia James indicated that the NYSDOH had drastically underestimated the number of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19. The report claimed that the official death toll excluded residents who died from the virus after being admitted to hospitals.

In 2022, Cuomo’s representative announced that the Manhattan District Attorney’s office would not pursue criminal charges related to the former governor’s handling of nursing home deaths during the pandemic. This announcement came after years of scrutiny and mounting pressure from various corners, including state lawmakers and family members of nursing home residents.

Earlier this year, an independent investigation commissioned by current New York Governor Kathy Hochul found that, while Cuomo’s nursing home policy was based on “the best available data at the time,” the communication regarding these policies to the public was inadequate. This poor communication contributed to heightened anxiety among family members of nursing home residents.

The investigation’s report stated, “Even the most well-intentioned policy had unforeseen consequences in [New York state] nursing homes,” highlighting the complexity and the ramifications of decisions made during a public health crisis.

As the attention turns to the upcoming congressional hearing, many are eager to understand Cuomo’s rationale behind his administration’s nursing home policies and their lasting impact on families affected by the pandemic.

Source: ABC News