Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is set to appear before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic to provide answers regarding his administration's nursing home guidance during the height of the 2020 pandemic. The inquiry aims to shed light on the policies implemented by Cuomo, which some claim had deadly consequences for New York's vulnerable population.
Chairman Wenstrup expressed concerns over the former governor's decisions, stating, "Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo implemented nursing home policies that had deadly consequences for New York's most vulnerable population. Not only did the former governor put the elderly in harm's way, but he also attempted to cover-up his failures by hiding the true nursing home death rate. It appears that politics, not medicine, was responsible for these decisions."
The closed-door meeting, scheduled by the House Select Subcommittee, will provide an opportunity for Cuomo to explain the reasoning behind issuing a "must admit" pandemic nursing home guidance. The testimony of the former governor is seen as crucial in uncovering the circumstances that led to these policies and ensuring that such fatal mistakes are not repeated in the future.
The Select Subcommittee has already interviewed several officials who were part of Cuomo's administration, including Dr. Howard Zucker, former Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Dr. Elenor Adams, former Special Advisor to the Commissioner of the NYSDOH, Mr. Gareth Rhodes, former Deputy Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services, Dr. Jim Malatras, former Advisor to the Governor, Ms. Beth Garvey, former Special Counsel to the Governor, and Ms. Linda Lacewell, former Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services. Melissa DeRosa, the former Secretary to Governor Cuomo, is scheduled for an interview at a later date.
Cuomo's spokesman dismissed the upcoming congressional appearance as a purely political move with no news value, highlighting that previous investigations by the Department of Justice, Congress, and the Manhattan District Attorney found no substantial evidence. The spokesman emphasized that similar policies were implemented in 10 other states, regardless of political affiliation, suggesting that any comprehensive review should consider a broader scope.
As the inquiry unfolds, the focus remains on obtaining transparency and accountability from Cuomo regarding the nursing home guidance during the pandemic. The testimony of the former governor is expected to provide valuable insights into the decision-making process and address the concerns of the families who lost loved ones in New York nursing homes.