Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has agreed to testify before Congress regarding his controversial nursing home advisory from the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. The subpoena was issued last month, and Cuomo is set to appear before the select Subcommittee on the Pandemic on June 11 in a transcribed interview. Lawmakers are interested in understanding Cuomo’s decision to bar nursing homes from rejecting patients solely on the basis of a Covid-19 diagnosis, a move that was criticized for putting vulnerable individuals at risk.
Rep. Brad Wenstrup, the Ohio Republican who chairs the panel, expressed his concerns about Cuomo’s decision, stating that it goes against medical common sense to place highly contagious individuals among the most vulnerable. The committee had been trying to reach out to Cuomo for approximately nine months, and there were delays in communication. According to Wenstrup, Cuomo only confirmed a date for the interview two days prior to the announcement. A spokesperson for Cuomo stated that they had agreed to the interview months ago, but the committee disputes this claim.
Cuomo has defended his advisory by citing guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, ongoing scrutiny over his handling of long-term care facilities during the pandemic has led to his upcoming appearance before lawmakers. The voluntary agreement for a transcribed interview indicates that Cuomo will participate in a format that requires participants to tell the truth to Congress.
Investigations conducted by New York Attorney General Letitia James and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli revealed discrepancies in the reporting of Covid-19 deaths among nursing home residents in New York. These investigations found that the New York State Department of Health had undercounted deaths, leading to concerns of a cover-up. Cuomo will have the opportunity to address these allegations during his testimony and respond to questions regarding his administration’s handling of data related to nursing homes during the pandemic.
Cuomo’s appearance before Congress comes after his resignation in August 2021 following allegations of sexual harassment by 11 women. The report by James’ office led to his resignation, but Cuomo continues to deny the allegations. The panel also plans to hear from Cuomo’s former secretary, Melissa DeRosa, and the former commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, Dr. Howard Zucker. The testimony is expected to shed light on Cuomo’s decision-making during the pandemic and provide insight into the challenges faced by long-term care facilities in New York.
