As Andrew Cuomo seeks a return to politics, one of his Democratic rivals is now asking federal officials to review a controversial edict the former governor imposed on nursing homes at the height of the pandemic.
City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander said Cuomo's infamous March 25, 2020 order requiring nursing homes to accept COVID-19 positive patients discharged from hospitals was not approved by the federal government. It is asking U.S. health officials to determine whether policies and guidelines were violated. Some analysts claim that this affected thousands of deaths among the elderly.
“Governor Cuomo has consistently stated that his March 25, 2020 directive follows federal CMS and CDC guidance,” the Comptroller wrote to CDC and CMS leaders on Dec. 17. stated in a letter dated.
Lander questioned whether “this directive was consistent with federal guidelines issued at the time by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”
In his letter, Lander also pointed to the findings of a Congressional coronavirus subcommittee that concluded the March 25 directive was “inconsistent with applicable federal guidelines,” and that Cuomo said those He said he testified that he did not speak to anyone at CMS or the CDC before or after the directive. issued.
“Given the critical nature of this issue and its implications for public health policy and accountability, we are unable to address how the March 25 directive was consistent or inconsistent with referenced federal guidelines. I respectfully request clarification,” he wrote.
A House majority report this month accused Mr. Cuomo of committing “medical malpractice” and undercounting the number of coronavirus-related nursing home deaths in New York during the pandemic.
The report also concluded that the former governor “likely made false statements” during his testimony.
House Democrats on the committee released their own report, slamming Cuomo for “sabotaging” the death toll by excluding deaths that occurred after patients were taken to hospitals.
Cuomo officials said outside investigators hired by state Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Kathy Hochul both determined the nursing home order was consistent with CDC and CMS guidelines.
Cuomo insiders said the Justice Department and Manhattan District Attorney also found no violations or wrongdoing.
Cuomo's campaign dismissed the House Republicans' report as partisan politics.
Cuomo resigned as governor in August 2021 following numerous accusations of sexual misconduct unrelated to his handling of the pandemic, which he denies.
Mr. Lander's investigation comes as Mr. Cuomo continues his rehabilitation tour throughout the city while considering a run for City Hall. That included a warm welcome Friday at a holiday party for East Harlem seniors hosted by state Rep. Eddie Gibbs.
“Mr. Cuomo's reception was amazing. I was surprised. I was jealous,” Gibbs said jokingly.
“They were excited to meet the former governor. They love the guy.”
