As former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo eyes a run for New York City mayor, his administration’s handling of nursing home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic has once again become a focal point of political debate. Critics allege that his policies contributed to a surge in nursing home deaths, a claim his supporters vehemently deny.
The crux of the controversy revolves around a March 25, 2020, Department of Health advisory stating, “No resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the nursing home solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19.” This directive, intended to alleviate hospital overcrowding, has been accused of introducing COVID-19 into vulnerable nursing home populations.
Conflicting Reports and Statistics
However, multiple investigations and reports have challenged this narrative. A key finding from the Assembly Impeachment Investigation Report in November 2021 stated, “We note that our investigation did not uncover evidence to suggest that the March 25, 2020 directive … increased the number of COVID-19 fatalities in nursing homes.”
Furthermore, the After-Action Report on COVID-19, commissioned by Governor Hochul and released in June 2024, concluded that New York’s nursing home policies were “consistent with universal best practices in congregate care and accurately reflected the best understanding of the scientific community at the time they were issued.”
A study by the Empire Center, an Albany-based think tank, further supports this view. “Our analysis found no statistically significant correlation in downstate nursing homes between admissions of COVID-19 patients from hospitals to nursing homes and deaths of nursing home residents,” the report indicated.
The “Cover-Up” Allegations
Another point of contention is the accusation that the Cuomo administration “covered up” nursing home deaths by excluding those who died in hospitals. Paul Francis, former Cuomo deputy secretary for Health and Human Services, argues, “The state always recorded deaths by ‘place of death’ and the total number of deaths (including both deaths in nursing homes and hospitals) was always accurate.”
The Department of Justice inspector general’s report released in January corroborated this, highlighting “partisan political motivations” behind attempts to discredit the Cuomo administration’s reporting.
Expert Opinions and Context
“Every COVID-19 death was a tragedy, but unfortunately that pain has been weaponized for political purposes and facts are distorted in the process,” Cuomo himself has stated repeatedly.
Francis, in his op-ed, emphasizes the importance of factual accuracy. “You are entitled to your own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts,” he quotes the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
Implications for the Nursing Home Industry
The ongoing debate surrounding Cuomo’s policies underscores the challenges faced by nursing homes during the pandemic. It highlights the need for clear, evidence-based guidelines and transparent communication. As the industry continues to grapple with the aftermath of COVID-19, these lessons remain crucial.