Governor Kathy Hochul Subpoenaed by House Committee Over Nursing Home Deaths

New York Governor Kathy Hochul faces subpoena over withheld nursing home death documents, intensifying the probe into pandemic-era decisions.

At a Glance

House Committee subpoenas Gov. Hochul for crucial documents related to COVID-19 nursing home deaths
Subpoena targets BlackBerry messages between state officials and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Rep. Brad Wenstrup criticizes Hochul for lack of transparency and delaying the investigation
Documents could clarify Cuomo’s role in controversial March 2020 directive and underreporting of deaths

House Committee Demands Answers on Nursing Home Deaths

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has issued a subpoena to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, demanding the release of crucial documents related to COVID-19 nursing home deaths. This action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing investigation into the state’s handling of the pandemic, particularly focusing on decisions made during former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration.

Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), chairman of the subcommittee, has taken a firm stance against what he perceives as a lack of cooperation from Hochul’s office. The subpoena specifically targets BlackBerry messages exchanged between state officials and then-Governor Cuomo during the outbreak, which could provide crucial insights into the decision-making process surrounding nursing home policies.

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has released a 48-page memo on the March 25 nursing home order that includes prior testimony ahead of former Gov. Cuomo's testimony https://t.co/dfguQgCnVS

— Nick Reisman (@NickReisman) September 9, 2024

Delayed Documents and Transparency Concerns

The subcommittee’s frustration stems from the delayed production of requested documents. Despite receiving 373,999 documents, investigators claim that pertinent information is still missing. This includes emails from McKinsey & Company and Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health, as well as communications about a May 11, 2020 directive on COVID-19 testing for nursing home residents.

“Although you promised to be ‘fully transparent’ regarding COVID-19 in nursing homes, the Executive Chamber’s decision to withhold responsive documents—without notice to the Select Subcommittee—is anything but transparent, has unjustifiably delayed our investigation, and falls squarely on your shoulders,” said Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), chairman of the panel, in a letter to Hochul.

The subpoena aims to resolve conflicting testimonies and shed light on Cuomo’s involvement in drafting a July 6, 2020 report on nursing home deaths. It also seeks to uncover details about the controversial March 25, 2020 directive that allowed COVID-positive patients to be admitted to nursing homes, potentially contributing to thousands of deaths.

Republican House lawmakers are going on the record to blame former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for thousands of deaths in state-run nursing homes in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.https://t.co/b3sXXNOhMj

— CNY Central (@CNYCentral) September 10, 2024

Implications and Next Steps

This subpoena carries significant implications for both Governor Hochul and former Governor Cuomo. It highlights the ongoing scrutiny of New York’s pandemic response and underscores the need for accountability in decisions that affected vulnerable elderly populations. The documents sought could provide crucial evidence in understanding the full impact of state policies on nursing home residents during the height of the pandemic.

“While the Select Subcommittee has since received three separate productions amounting to 373,999 documents, it is apparent that the Executive Chamber has not been fully cooperative with our requests and not produced pertinent documents for potentially erroneous reasons,” he told the governor.

A spokesperson for Governor Hochul has stated that her office will cooperate with the subpoena and provide the requested records. However, the extent of this cooperation and the content of the withheld documents remain to be seen. As the investigation progresses, it will likely continue to draw national attention and potentially influence future pandemic preparedness policies.