Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to testify publicly before Congress regarding his controversial nursing home advisory during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cuomo previously testified behind closed doors before the House Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic and will now testify publicly before the same panel. The former governor is set to testify on September 10, with a focus on answering the question of why there were more Covid-19 deaths in the United States compared to other countries and how to prevent a similar situation in the future.
An investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James found that the New York State Department of Health had undercounted Covid-19 deaths among nursing home residents by 50%, primarily by not accounting for deaths of residents transferred to hospitals. Additionally, a 2022 audit by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli revealed that Cuomo’s health department failed to report around 4,100 deaths between April 2020 and February 2021. Despite these findings, Cuomo has maintained that his advisory was in line with guidance from federal health agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The House panel, led by Rep. Brad Wenstrup, plans to question Cuomo about his March 2020 advisory that prevented nursing homes from rejecting patients solely on the basis of a Covid-19 diagnosis. Wenstrup, a doctor himself, expressed concern over the decision, stating that it is against medical common sense to place highly contagious individuals among vulnerable populations. Cuomo, who served as governor for nearly three terms before resigning in August 2021 following accusations of sexual harassment from 11 women, has denied the allegations and continues to defend his decisions during the pandemic.
This upcoming testimony before Congress marks a continuation of the scrutiny surrounding Cuomo’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in nursing homes. The investigation and audit findings have raised concerns about the accuracy of reporting Covid-19 deaths among vulnerable populations in New York and the appropriateness of Cuomo’s policies during the early stages of the pandemic. Cuomo’s spokesperson expressed his willingness to answer questions from the committee and shed light on the decisions made during that time. The House panel has yet to make any comments regarding the upcoming testimony.
The public testimony by Cuomo before Congress is expected to provide further insight into the decision-making process that led to the controversial nursing home advisory in New York. Lawmakers are keen on understanding the rationale behind the policy and its impact on the vulnerable population in nursing homes. The highlighting of these issues in a public setting aims to address the accountability and transparency surrounding the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in ensuring the safety and well-being of nursing home residents during a critical time. Cuomo’s testimony will be a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation and evaluation of his actions during the pandemic.
