New York State Attorney General Letitia James’s report on how the coronavirus affected the state’s nursing homes has caused severe pain to Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has faced criticism from the United States. state legislators on this aspect of their pandemic management.
The report said the number of coronavirus deaths attributed to nursing homes was underestimated by about 50%. He caused state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker to say after his release that in addition to the 8,914 people the Department of Health believes died because of Covid-19 in the residences, another 3,829 residents of residences die from the disease after being taken to hospitals.
The document, released Thursday, invigorated the legislative push for an investigation into the deadly casualties. Republicans and some Democrats said the state’s refusal to say how many residents in nursing homes died in hospitals left them with an incomplete picture of what happened and how policies might have to change.
Dr. Zucker said the health department accurately recorded the deaths where they occurred and ensured that data on hospital transfers were accurate.
Republicans said the state was covert and have used that point to attack Mr Cuomo. Republicans have criticized a March 25 Department of Health directive that says nursing homes could not keep patients away simply because they had tested positive for coronavirus.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James’s report recommends standardized public notification of Covid-19 deaths in residences.
Photo:
Kathy Willens / Associated Press
Ms James’s report said the admission of these residents could have helped increase the risk of infection and subsequent deaths, but further data analysis is needed. The report recommends standardized public notification of deaths by covid-19 in residences, establishing the level of staff required in residences, and repealing a shield of responsibility covering residence operators that was enacted in April.
Rich Azzopardi, the governor’s senior adviser, said the report said the March 25 order was consistent with federal guidance and that households should only have admitted residents if they could provide adequate care.
“We’re focused on fighting this pandemic and getting the vaccines and funding that New Yorkers need and deserve from Washington, period,” he said.
The report also marked the first time Ms. James, who was elected in 2018, put Defender Cuomo in place, according to state attorney general veterans and political observers. The result, they say, could mean a closer relationship with Mr Cuomo, a fellow Democrat who backed his 2018 election candidacy and helped raise funds.
“Clearly, this is a line of demarcation in which she declares her political independence,” said former state attorney general Dennis Vacco, a Republican who served from 1995 to 1999.
He said the report was “impressive and brave” because it highlighted a sensitive point for Mr Cuomo. “Now he’s kicked the Achilles heel,” Vacco said.
State lawmakers on both sides redoubled their petitions for a more thorough investigation into what led to the deaths of the residences. Lawmakers said they expect Dr. Zucker’s scheduled appearance at a February budget hearing to be controversial.
Covid-19 arrives at New York nursing homes
Cuomo said at a news conference on Friday that the places where residents of residences died were irrelevant and that he was unaware of the legislation to remove civil liability protections. He said Republicans, including former Trump administration officials, were politicizing the issue. Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, a Niagara County Republican, said Ms. James’ report showed that concerns about nursing homes were not partisan.
Mrs. James’s office has permanent authority to investigate residency practices. His spokeswoman said Mr Cuomo requested an investigation in April and that the report was written based on what was found. Most of the 76-page paper talked about deficiencies in residences, including their non-compliance with infection control protocols and problems that were exacerbated by staff shortages.
“The findings, publicly available to anyone who can examine them, are the result of intense effort by dedicated researchers and lawyers,” said spokeswoman Delaney Kempner. “Injecting politics would be an insult and take away all the hard work of the professionals in this office.”
Former Democrat Attorney General Robert Abrams said tension between any attorney general and governor was inevitable. Mr. Cuomo and former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman had several public spaces on jurisdiction and liquidation funds.
A 2007 report on the misuse of aircraft by the state police who then ruled. Eliot Spitzer sought out then Attorney General Andrew Cuomo who ended up causing trouble to the Spitzer administration who became known as “Troopergate”.
Mr. Abrams repeated the old political saw that the acronym for Attorney General, AG, actually means aspiring governor, pointing the way to the power of Messrs. Spitzer and Cuomo.
Several political activists said they did not believe Ms James would challenge Mr Cuomo when he is re-elected in 2022. Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran political consultant, said the report would only increase his position.
“He’s been able to capture national headlines through Trump investigations and the NRA’s takeover,” he said. “Clearly this is someone who has long-term plans and what better way to make them real is to show that you can draw even with a Democratic National player?”
THE QUESTION: Several New York State attorneys general have become governors. Who was the last former New York Attorney General to run for president?
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THE LAST ANSWER: The New York state legislature never successfully overturned a veto issued by Governor Mario Cuomo during his three terms.
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