Andrew Cuomo testifies on pandemic response before House panel Tuesday

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to testify before a GOP-led House panel regarding his pandemic response, particularly focusing on nursing home policies during his administration. This public hearing follows a closed-door testimony he provided in June to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Cuomo has defended his actions, asserting that they adhered to federal guidelines, despite ongoing scrutiny over the state's handling of nursing home admissions during the COVID-19 crisis. The March 25, 2020 advisory from the New York State Health Department, which allowed COVID-19 patients to be admitted to nursing homes, has been a focal point of criticism. Republicans on the panel have released a memo claiming that Cuomo was involved in decisions leading to this directive, which they argue was inconsistent with federal guidance and had disastrous outcomes. They also allege that the Cuomo administration manipulated data to obscure the true number of nursing home deaths. Cuomo's spokesperson has countered these claims, stating that the committee's report lacks evidence of causality between the March 25 directive and nursing home fatalities. The New York State Attorney General's report in 2021 indicated that the state underreported COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents by about 50%, further complicating the narrative surrounding Cuomo's pandemic management. As the hearing approaches, it is seen as a significant opportunity for Republicans to question Cuomo publicly. The outcome of this testimony may have implications for Cuomo's legacy and the ongoing debate over pandemic policies in New York.