Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is facing tough questioning from congressional lawmakers about his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the thousands of nursing home deaths on his watch. A GOP led subcommittee is expecting to pounce on Cuomo for his one-time policy, essentially forcing nursing homes and long-term care facilities to readmit recovering hospital patients without a negative COVID test.
Republicans on this panel released a 48-page memo ahead of this hearing. The memo highlighted that the Cuomo administration knowingly misrepresented the number of COVID-related deaths in nursing homes, allegedly to downplay criticism and protect Cuomo's legacy. The focus of the subcommittee's report was the March 25th directive, which mandated nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients from hospitals, despite the known risks of transmission.
The committee also scrutinized a State Health Department report, revealing that Cuomo administration officials edited the report to mitigate backlash over their policies. An email exchange among top officials discussed the potential historical impact of their actions, with one aide expressing concern about the debacle's place in the history books.
Following Cuomo's resignation in 2021, this hearing marks his most prominent public appearance. The outcome of this hearing not only hinges on Cuomo's performance but also raises questions about his political future and rumored comeback in New York politics.
