30 March 2021: NY Nursing Home Patients Gain Legal Access to Personal Caregivers

Governor Cuomo signs nursing home legislation allowing personal care visitors

This report is notable for what it doesn't say.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation sponsored by State Senator Rachel May that aims to improve oversight and care at nursing homes.

The legislative package will create a task force to reimagine the delivery of long-term care, allow personal and compassionate care visitors, and mandate disclosure of nursing home ratings.

“This is a great step forward for the health and well-being of nursing home residents now and in any future pandemics,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “AARP New York thanks Senator May for her leadership and advocacy in guiding this bill though the legislative process to make sure family and caregivers have the right to visit loved ones safely during a state of emergency.”

“On behalf of the many callers to our Patients’ Rights Helpline who have shared their outrage about nursing home and assisted living residents living in isolation during the past year, we thank Senator May for championing their rights and recognizing the need for essential visitors,” said Maria Alvarez, Executive Director, New York StateWide Senior Action Council. “Senator May took a proactive interest in our case calls last Spring, spearheaded work by the Senate to hold hearings last Summer, and consistently called on the Governor to immediately open visitation to offset declines in the quality of care. This new law ensures that New Yorkers will never again be deprived of the caring eyes and hands of an essential visitor.”

Note that neither AARP New York Director Beth Finkel nor NY StateWide Senior Action Council Executive Director Maria Alvarez appear to have thanked Governor Cuomo for signing the legislation in their comments. That means that either thanks for Governor Cuomo were not offered or that they were not reported. Either way, the absence says a lot.