On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul was subpoenaed by Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), chair of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, for failing to release documents related to nursing home deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. These records, dating back to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s time in office, are essential to understanding the administration’s policies that may have contributed to thousands of deaths.
The House subcommittee requested the documents in November 2023 as part of its investigation into Cuomo’s handling of the pandemic. Despite promises of full transparency, Hochul’s administration has delayed providing the materials, raising suspicions about a potential cover-up.
The subpoena highlights specific documents, including a chain of emails labeled “Draft Nursing Home Plan” from April and May 2020. The subcommittee is also seeking information regarding a directive issued in May 2020 that required nursing home residents to test negative for COVID-19 before admission. These records are considered vital for determining how nursing home policies were formulated.
Wenstrup criticized the executive chamber for deliberately withholding key documents, accusing them of impeding the investigation. Some of the materials provided were incomplete, heavily redacted, or already publicly available, further frustrating investigators.
This latest move by the House committee signals a growing urgency to get to the bottom of Cuomo’s nursing home policies and their tragic consequences. Hochul’s failure to comply with the investigation has raised questions about her commitment to transparency and accountability.
