Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faced harsh criticism during a congressional subcommittee hearing regarding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes. Specifically, Republicans focused on a directive issued by Cuomo’s administration in March 2020 that allowed nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients. This directive, which was later rescinded, led to over 9,000 COVID-19 patients being sent to nursing homes, potentially accelerating outbreaks. Republicans accused Cuomo of a cover-up to hide mistakes that put nursing home residents at risk.
Cuomo defended his actions during the hearing, blaming the Trump administration for the lack of testing and personal protective equipment in the early days of the pandemic. He rejected claims that the nursing home order contributed to the spread of the virus and insisted that federal mismanagement was to blame. The hearing did not provide a definitive answer on whether discharged hospital patients were contagious when readmitted to nursing homes, raising questions about the source of infections in these facilities.
The House committee report raised concerns about Cuomo and his aides attempting to shift blame away from the nursing home directive. Cuomo’s handling of nursing home data was also scrutinized, with reports of inaccuracies and withholding information about COVID-19 deaths among long-term care residents. Cuomo resigned in August 2021 amidst sexual harassment allegations, further tainting his reputation. His administration’s incomplete reporting of nursing home deaths added to the scrutiny surrounding his handling of the pandemic.
Cuomo’s testimony before the congressional subcommittee included a heated exchange with Rep. Elise Stefanik, who questioned his actions during the pandemic. Accusations were made about Cuomo negotiating a book deal while nursing home residents were dying, leading to a demand for an apology to families who lost loved ones. Cuomo defended his actions, stating that the report provided no evidence linking the directive to increased fatalities in nursing homes. The subcommittee also highlighted Cuomo’s attempts to dismiss blame for the nursing home crisis.
While Cuomo’s successor, Gov. Kathy Hochul, commissioned a state report that found the nursing home policies to be rushed and uncoordinated, they were based on the best scientific understanding at the time. Cuomo’s reputation suffered due to revelations of incomplete data reporting and a lack of transparency regarding nursing home deaths. The ongoing investigation into Cuomo’s handling of the pandemic and the nursing home crisis continues to raise questions about accountability and transparency in government response to public health emergencies.
