James Comer U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 1st district | Official U.S. House Headshot
James Comer U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 1st district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Cuomo to testify before COVID Select at a 2:00 pm public hearing tomorrow
WASHINGTON — Today, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) released a staff memorandum titled “Findings from the Select Subcommittee’s Investigation into the Cuomo Administration’s March 25 Directive Admitting COVID-Positive Patients into Nursing Homes.” This memo presents evidence that former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and his team were involved in the decision to issue New York’s March 25 Directive and acted repeatedly to downplay the aftermath of their decision.
New testimony revealed in the Select Subcommittee’s memo details how the former Governor’s office made a deliberate decision to exclude scientifically significant nursing home-related COVID-19 deaths from mortality rates and heavily edited official New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) documents to shift blame away from Mr. Cuomo and his team.
The March 25 Directive directed New York nursing homes and long-term care facilities to admit COVID-positive and potentially COVID-positive patients. This directive omitted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection control guidance and did not consider whether a facility had the capacity to house COVID-positive patients. As a result, New York’s most vulnerable population was exposed to COVID-19 unnecessarily. Today’s memo includes findings from the Select Subcommittee's investigation into the development, issuance, and resulting cover-up of the March 25 Directive — including ten transcribed interviews and nearly 550,000 pages of documents.
“The Cuomo Administration is responsible for recklessly exposing New York’s most vulnerable population to COVID-19. Today’s memo holds Mr. Cuomo and his team accountable for their failures,” said Chairman Wenstrup. “We hope that this memo provides clarity to the American people who deserve answers.”
Key Memo Findings:
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and his team were involved in issuing the March 25 Directive.
The Former NYSDOH Commissioner testified that it was prompted by a direct request to Mr. Cuomo from the Greater New York Hospital Association.
One former NYSDOH leader testified that it “absolutely” received approval from Mr. Cuomo’s team prior to public issuance.
Mr. Cuomo and his team continue to deny any involvement in its issuance.
The directive was rescinded due to public criticism, not scientific changes or recognition of wrongdoing.
Mr. Cuomo testified it was terminated because of “public relations” as New Yorkers were “nervous” and “concerned.”
In December 2023, the former NYSDOH Commissioner testified he still stands behind issuing it.
Mr. Cuomo's team excluded certain COVID-19 related nursing home deaths, hiding true mortality rates.
They changed counting methodology to exclude “out-of-facility deaths.”
When asked why they undercounted deaths, Mr. Cuomo remarked "Who cares? What difference does it make…”
Full data was released in February 2021 after inquiries by the Department of Justice.
The July 6, 2020 Report alleging nursing home staff caused excess deaths was edited by Governor Cuomo's team.
Former officials testified it originated inside the Governor's Office.
A member of New York’s task force stated Mr. Cuomo ordered it drafted against criticism.
Another staffer testified “[July 6 Report] wouldn’t exist without me…”
Testimony indicates March 25 Directive contradicted CDC guidelines.
CMS guidance allowed admissions if facilities could follow CDC guidance; however, March 25 Directive prohibited testing individuals before admission.
Former White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Deborah Birx testified it "violated" CMS guidance.
Current Governor Kathy Hochul has not cooperated with document requests related to this directive.
Next steps may include legal repercussions for potential obstruction by Governor Hochul.
Transcribed interviews with key individuals include:
Andrew Cuomo – former Governor
Melissa DeRosa – former Secretary
Lawrence Schwartz – former Secretary
Dr. Howard Zucker – former Commissioner
Bradley Hutton – former Deputy Commissioner
Dr. Eleanor Adams – former Special Advisor
Gareth Rhodes – former Deputy Superintendent
Dr. Jim Malatras – former Advisor
Beth Garvey – former Special Counsel
Linda Lacewell – former Superintendent
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