Former New York Governor Cuomo to be questioned by House GOP committee about nursing home deaths during COVID.

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is set to appear before the House select subcommittee investigating the coronavirus pandemic in a closed-door transcribed interview on Capitol Hill. Cuomo’s handling of the pandemic, particularly his controversial executive order regarding nursing homes, will be a focal point of the questioning.

Among the questions lined up for Cuomo by committee investigators are why he dedicated time to writing a book during the pandemic and the nursing home crisis, as well as why there was a delay in rescinding the executive order when its flaws became apparent.

A scathing report from the New York State comptroller in March 2022 revealed that Cuomo’s Health Department had significantly underreported COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability.

Cuomo and his former aide, Melissa DeRosa, have contended that the state health department was following federal guidance from the CDC and CMS issued during the Trump administration. However, Rep. Brad Wenstrup, chair of the COVID-19 select subcommittee, has expressed skepticism about this defense and stressed the importance of Cuomo providing evidence to support these claims.

The committee issued a subpoena to Cuomo in March, citing the critical need for his testimony in evaluating the effectiveness of federal guidance and regulations related to protecting nursing home residents during the pandemic. The information gathered from the investigation may lead to legislative proposals aimed at improving the federal scientific guidance process.

Accusations of evasion by Cuomo in responding to interview requests have been met with denial from his lawyer, Rita Glavin, who affirmed Cuomo’s willingness to cooperate. The ongoing back-and-forth underscores the tension surrounding Cuomo’s involvement in the inquiry.

As the investigation unfolds, the spotlight on Cuomo’s actions during the COVID-19 crisis continues to intensify. The scrutiny of his decisions and their consequences serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by leaders during times of crisis.