Fact Check: "Cuomo sent 9,000 COVID patients to nursing homes, fueling deadly outbreaks."
What We Know
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a directive on March 25, 2020, which mandated that nursing homes could not deny admission to patients solely based on a positive COVID-19 status. This directive allowed for the transfer of over 9,000 recovering COVID-19 patients from hospitals to nursing homes, a decision that has been widely criticized for potentially exacerbating outbreaks within these facilities (AP News).
The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has conducted hearings examining Cuomo's role in this directive, revealing that he and his administration were aware of the potential risks associated with this policy. They found that the directive was issued without consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (Select Subcommittee). Furthermore, the Cuomo administration has been accused of underreporting the true number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, with estimates suggesting that the actual toll was nearly double the reported figures (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that Cuomo sent 9,000 COVID patients to nursing homes is substantiated by multiple sources, including official records and testimonies from the Select Subcommittee hearings. The directive itself is a documented policy that allowed COVID-positive patients to be placed in nursing homes, which has been linked to significant outbreaks and increased mortality rates among vulnerable populations (Washington Post).
Critics of Cuomo's actions argue that the directive was not only poorly timed but also lacked scientific backing, as it contradicted the guidance from health authorities. During the hearings, Cuomo was pressed on his failure to consult with health experts before issuing the directive, which he admitted (Select Subcommittee). This lack of consultation raises questions about the decision-making process and the prioritization of hospital capacity over the safety of nursing home residents.
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is strong, as they include official congressional hearings, reputable news organizations, and expert commentary. However, it is important to note that some narratives around Cuomo's actions may be politically charged, given the context of ongoing investigations and public scrutiny of his administration's handling of the pandemic.
Conclusion
The claim that "Cuomo sent 9,000 COVID patients to nursing homes, fueling deadly outbreaks" is True. The evidence from multiple sources confirms that Cuomo's March 25 directive allowed for the admission of thousands of COVID-positive patients into nursing homes, which has been linked to increased outbreaks and fatalities among residents. The lack of scientific consultation and the subsequent underreporting of deaths further support the assertion that this policy had devastating consequences.
