5 November 2022: Replacement NY Governor Slammed for Slow-Walking Cuomo COVID Nursing Home Deaths Probe

Gov. Hochul slammed for timing of probe into Cuomo’s COVID response

After months of needless inaction, replacement NY Governor Kathy Hochul has earned criticism for her extremely slow response to investigate Andrew M. Cuomo' COVID nursing home deaths scandals. The criticism comes as Hochul awarded a multi-million dolar contract to a law firm that will investigate how state's policies under the resigned-in-disgrace former NY governor Andrew M. Cuomo contributed to excess COVID deaths at the state's nursing homes.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has awarded a $4.3 million contract to investigate New York’s Andrew Cuomo-led response to the coronavirus outbreak — drawing fire from critics who accuse her of slow-walking the probe until after Tuesday’s election.

The one-year contract goes to consultant the Olson Group, an emergency management firm in Alexandria, Va. Hochul, who was lieutenant governor during the pandemic, first announced the planned probe in July.

But critics say the timing of the firm’s hire is curious — announced during the final days of a gubernatorial campaign where Hochul is fighting for her political life in a closer than expected race against Republican opponent Lee Zeldin.

“Given that COVID killed more than 75,000 New Yorkers — and the next virus could arrive at any time — the state’s leaders might have been expected to show more urgency in studying how to improve their operations,” said Bill Hammond, health analyst at the Empire Center for Public Policy, in a blog post.

Here's a link to Hammond's post criticizing Hochul's "underwhelming" response. We would describe his critique of Hochul's absence of proactive leadership as particularly damning:

Back in April, Hochul reportedly told her cabinet she wanted a “deep dive” on the state’s response in a matter of weeks, then waited until July to launch the search for outside help. Officials estimated they would award the contract “on or about” Sept. 20, which was six weeks ago.

Given that COVID killed more than 75,000 New Yorkers – and the next virus could arrive at any time – the state’s leaders might have been expected to show more urgency in studying how to improve their operations.

Worse, Hammond notes the legal firm will not have subpoena power, which will hamper its ability to gather information from state officials that may seek to cover up their role in the COVID nursing home deaths scandals:

Further revealing details can be found in the state’s answers to questions posed by firms that were thinking of bidding for the study contract.

Firms were curious about how much access they would be given to relevant information such as data, documents and interviews with current and former officials – which is an important consideration given the Cuomo administration’s months-long attempt to hide the true COVID death toll in nursing homes.

The state’s response gave no guarantees:

“The State will work with the vendor to access state data as expeditiously as possible. … Please note, this review does not and will not have the power to compel participation or document production.” (Emphasis added.)

In other words, the Olson Group will not have subpoena power to obtain documents or testimony from the former governor, his top aides or any other uncooperative witnesses – which could be a significant obstacle to getting at the truth.

Hammond's larger point is that the probe Hochul has so belatedly initiated is, by design, not capable of producing results that will lead to effective reforms. Reforms that would prevent the repeat of policy failures Andrew M. Cuomo's inadequate leadership produced during the period his deadly 25 March 2020 directive was in effect. Those policy failures led to the excess deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of New York's nursing home residents.

With the 2022 elections set to take place on Tuesday, 8 November, it is possible their outcome could determine whether New York follows the path replacement governor Hochul has chosen or pursues a more robust response with different leaders in charge. We'll find out soon enough.