Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is set to testify in front of a congressional Covid subcommittee today. The subcommittee will question him about his controversial order that prohibited nursing homes from refusing Covid-19 positive patients, which some critics blame for contributing to thousands of nursing home deaths during the pandemic.
Cuomo, who resigned from his position in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, will participate in a closed-door, transcribed interview with the House Covid subcommittee. While his resignation was unrelated to the Covid pandemic, his handling of nursing home policies during the health crisis has come under scrutiny.
Reports estimate that around 15,000 nursing home residents died due to Covid-19 after Cuomo's directive that required nursing homes to accept Covid-positive patients in 2020. Families of the deceased and critics have directly held Cuomo responsible for the tragic outcomes.
Congressman Brad Winstead criticized Cuomo's nursing home policies, stating that they had deadly consequences for New York's most vulnerable population. Another House member, Nicole Bentley, emphasized the importance of seeking answers for families who lost elderly loved ones due to Cuomo's orders.
Despite the ongoing controversy, there have been speculations about Cuomo potentially running for the mayor of New York City. His recent public appearances, including attending events with prominent figures like Robert De Niro, have fueled rumors about his political ambitions.
While Cuomo has expressed regret over resigning as the governor of New York, today's testimony before the congressional subcommittee may shed light on his future plans and political aspirations. The closed-door nature of the interview will provide insights into Cuomo's perspective on the nursing home policies and their impact on the Covid-19 response in New York.
