Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to testify publicly before a Republican-led House subcommittee regarding his administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes. Cuomo’s administration received criticism for its management of nursing home residents who contracted COVID-19 in the early months of the pandemic. New York required nursing homes to admit patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in March 2020. However, the administration was later accused of underreporting deaths in nursing homes, with New York Attorney General Letitia James stating that the state may have undercounted COVID-19 deaths in nursing home patients by up to 50%.
Rep. Brad Wenstrup, chairman of the select subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic, emphasized that Cuomo owes answers to the families who lost loved ones in New York’s nursing homes during the pandemic. Wenstrup stated that Americans will have the opportunity to hear from Cuomo about New York’s potentially fatal nursing home policies during the public hearing. Cuomo had previously testified behind closed doors in June after a subpoena for his testimony. Wenstrup criticized Cuomo for being “shockingly callous” when discussing nursing home death counts and for deflecting responsibility. He hopes that Cuomo will be more forthcoming during the public hearing and provide truthful answers to the American people.
Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, mentioned that the former governor agreed to testify voluntarily at the upcoming hearing on September 10. Azzopardi criticized the committee for engaging in what he described as false political attacks on New York for nursing home deaths, despite the state following federal guidance. Cuomo resigned from office in 2021 amidst sexual harassment allegations. Azzopardi shifted blame onto Republicans and former President Donald Trump, stating that the key question is the death toll from COVID-19 under the Trump administration and how to prevent such a situation from recurring. Azzopardi emphasized that it is important for the truth to come out and for partisan political games to cease as this issue pertains to life and death.
The hearing with Cuomo on Capitol Hill is expected to focus on his administration’s management of nursing home residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to mandate nursing homes to admit COVID-19 positive patients and the subsequent accusations of underreporting deaths will likely be central topics of discussion. Cuomo’s responses to questions and the level of accountability he takes for the handling of nursing home residents during the pandemic will be closely scrutinized during the public hearing. The committee hopes that Cuomo will provide honest answers and take responsibility for any failings in his administration’s response to the pandemic.
The upcoming hearing also presents an opportunity for Cuomo to address Congress and the American public directly on the matter of nursing home deaths during the pandemic. His responses to questions about the underreporting of deaths and the decision-making process regarding nursing home policies will be crucial in determining the level of transparency and accountability during his administration’s handling of the crisis. The public hearing will allow for a thorough examination of Cuomo’s actions and decision-making, providing insight into the inner workings of the state government’s response to the pandemic. It is imperative that Cuomo provides truthful and detailed answers during the hearing to address the concerns raised by the committee and the public.
Overall, the public hearing with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Capitol Hill represents a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny of his administration’s handling of nursing home residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing will provide a platform for Cuomo to address the criticism and accusations leveled against his administration, particularly regarding the underreporting of deaths in nursing homes. The committee’s expectation of Cuomo’s accountability and honesty during the hearing underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for transparency in addressing past failings. Ultimately, the public hearing will shed light on the decisions and actions taken by Cuomo’s administration during the pandemic, allowing for a comprehensive examination of its response to the crisis.
