September 9, 2024
- Today, @COVIDSelect released a staff memo that holds former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and his staff responsible for recklessly exposing elderly Americans to COVID-19 in New York nursing homes from March 25, 2020 to May 10, 2020.
- Mr. Cuomo and his team were involved in the decision to issue the March 25 Directive that directed nursing homes to admit COVID-positive and potentially COVID-positive patients.
- Former, high-ranking New York State Department of Health Officials testified that the decision to issue the disastrous March 25 Directive was prompted by Governor Cuomo’s Office.
- The March 25 Directive was rescinded in response to public criticism — not because of a change in medical science or a recognition of wrongdoing.
- Mr. Cuomo testified that the Directive was terminated and replaced by an Executive Order because of “public relations” and because New Yorkers were “nervous” and “concerned.” Understandably.
- Mr. Cuomo’s team made a deliberate decision to exclude certain COVID-19 related nursing home deaths — a decision that hid the true nursing home mortality rate.
- When pressed to explain why his Administration undercounted nursing home deaths, Mr. Cuomo callously remarked “— let’s say there’s a 3,000 differential, 2,500. Who cares? What difference does it make…”
- The New York State Department of Health’s July 6, 2020 Report, which alleged nursing home staff — not the March 25 Directive — caused excess COVID-19 deaths, was directly edited by Governor Cuomo and his team.
- New testimony suggests that Mr. Cuomo ordered the July 6 Report to be drafted to combat criticism of the March 25 Directive and then edited the language of the Report to reflect his personal preferences.
- The March 25 Directive was not consistent with federal guidance released by @CDCgov and @CMSGov.
- Testimony and evidence obtained by the Select Subcommittee establishes that the March 25 Directive clearly “violated” CMS guidance.
- Current New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, has not been cooperative with @COVIDSelect’s requests for documents and information related to the Cuomo Administration’s March 25 Directive.
- The Select Subcommittee is considering next steps and legal repercussions for Governor Hochul’s obstruction, including potentially issuing a subpoena.
- Full report