State GOP Lawmakers Renew Calls for Review of Response to COVID Deaths in Nursing Homes

It has been four years since the New York State Department of Health ordered nursing homes across the state to accept patients who were COVID-19 positive at the beginning of the pandemic. Now, Republican lawmakers in Albany are renewing their call for an independent review of the state's response to the pandemic. During a press conference in Albany on Monday, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay said little progress has been made so far...

Will Barclay: we need answers

In December 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to create a group called the Reimagining Long-Term Care Task Force." However, the convening of that task force has been delayed, and Barclay says thousands of families are still awaiting a review. He says the Health Department's directive contributed to the nearly 15,000 COVID-related deaths in long-term care facilities.