Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is set to testify publicly before Congress about his controversial nursing home advisory from the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cuomo previously testified behind closed doors before a House Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic and will now testify in front of the same panel. A spokesperson for Cuomo confirmed his upcoming testimony on September 10, stating that Cuomo is eager to get answers on why more people died from Covid-19 in the United States than in any other country.
A 2021 investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James found that the New York State Department of Health undercounted Covid-19 deaths among nursing home residents by approximately 50%. A 2022 audit by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli concluded that Cuomo’s health department failed to report around 4,100 deaths between April 2020 and February 2021. Cuomo has defended his advisory, stating that it was consistent with guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The House panel, chaired by Rep. Brad Wenstrup, a Republican from Ohio, aims to question Cuomo about the March 2020 advisory that prohibited nursing homes from rejecting patients solely based on a Covid-19 diagnosis. Wenstrup, a doctor himself, expressed concerns about placing highly contagious individuals among the most vulnerable in nursing homes, contrary to medical common sense. Cuomo’s actions during the pandemic have raised questions about his decision-making and potential impact on the high death toll in New York.
Cuomo served as governor of New York for nearly three full terms before resigning in August 2021 following allegations of sexual harassment by 11 women, as detailed in a report by Letitia James’s office. Cuomo has denied the allegations of sexual harassment, but the controversy surrounding his nursing home advisory and management during the Covid-19 pandemic has further fueled scrutiny of his leadership. His upcoming public testimony before Congress provides an opportunity for lawmakers to delve into his actions during a critical period of the pandemic response.
The expectation of Cuomo’s public testimony before Congress comes amid ongoing inquiries into his handling of the pandemic and the impact of his nursing home advisory on the high death toll in New York. The discrepancy in reporting Covid-19 deaths among nursing home residents raises questions about accountability and transparency within Cuomo’s administration. The House panel’s focus on Cuomo’s decision-making during the pandemic reflects broader concerns about governance and leadership in times of crisis, shedding light on the challenges faced by state officials during the unprecedented health emergency.
As Cuomo prepares to testify before Congress, the public and lawmakers await answers regarding the factors contributing to the high death toll in New York and measures to prevent similar outcomes in the future. The testimony presents an opportunity for Cuomo to address criticisms of his handling of the pandemic response, particularly regarding the nursing home advisory. His engagement with the House panel offers a platform for accountability and transparency, allowing for a closer examination of his actions during a turbulent period in the state’s history.
