Rep. Stefanik Calls For Federal Investigation into Gov. Cuomo's Nursing Home Policy

Reagan McCarthy | May 18, 2020 12:45 PM

As the negligence of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) becomes apparent, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is demanding answers.

We must protect our most vulnerable.

We need answers on the tragedy of nursing homes throughout this pandemic.

Families have written to me who have lost both parents in facilities in NYS. Rather than dismiss these concerns like NY, we need answers.https://t.co/OIHzvwtoJs
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) May 18, 2020

The New York Republican, among a group of New York lawmakers, called for a federal investigation into Gov. Cuomo’s COVID-19 action on nursing homes; Gov. Cuomo reportedly mandated that COVID-positive patients be sent into nursing homes, sparking widespread deaths in the facilities. As of last week, New York totaled over 5,000 deaths in nursing homes at the hands of Gov. Cuomo's policy.

Gov. Cuomo’s administration dismissed Rep. Stefanik’s request for an investigation into this sudden spike in deaths, claiming that the Congresswoman was “pandering” and “fear mongering,” but this level of negligence is not a political issue, as Rep. Stefanik’s campaign noted:

“We urge Governor Cuomo to do something we understand is uncomfortable for him: take a look inward and think about the catastrophic mistakes he and his Administration made during COVID-19,” said Maddie Anderson of the Stefanik campaign. “...Congresswoman Stefanik joined the New York Delegation in asking for an independent investigation into New York State’s actions regarding nursing homes. Thousands of people across the state are devastated by the loss of their parents and grandparents due to contracting COVID-19 in a nursing home, and they need answers. New reports show the number is even more than we know. This was not a political issue until Governor Cuomo made it one – and it is shameful.”