September 29, 2020
From Assemblyman Palmesano:
Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) is continuing the call for further investigation into the nursing home scandal that ravaged New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. Palmesano announced his support for bipartisan legislation (A.10857) sponsored by Sen Jim Tedisco (R-Glenville) and Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Queens) which establishes an independent, bipartisan state commission to fully investigate the deaths of over 6,000 New Yorkers who died from COVID-19 in state-regulated nursing homes. He is also joining Sen. Tedisco’s online petition to progress this crucial bipartisan bill and is encouraging others to do the same.
The bill is additionally sponsored by regional representatives including Sen. O’Mara, Sen. Helming, Sen. Akshar and Sen. Borello.
Last week, Palmesano and his Assembly colleagues sent a letter to the CDC urging Director Redfield to promote transparency and update reporting guidelines so there is an accurate accounting of the nursing home tragedy in New York state and across the country.
Gov. Cuomo has been heavily criticized for his decision to require nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients, while knowing the extreme vulnerability of those inside.
“Innocent lives were lost due to the tragic decision to make nursing homes accept COVID-19 positive patients” said Palmesano. “A self-conducted report by the Department of Health, the same agency which oversaw this tragic policy, is not good enough. This is not about politics or partisanship. Both sides of the aisle have an obligation to the families who lost loved ones and the people of New York to subpoena the administration and the state health department to get the answers as to why more than 6,000 people died in state-regulated nursing facilities so another tragedy like this never happens again. I urge everyone to join our petition and demand the governor and the health department tell the real truth.”
Anyone interested in joining the petition can do so by following the link below. Everyone is encouraged to share the petition or create their own to get the answers we deserve.
https://www.nysenate.gov/petitions/james-tedisco/governor-cuomo-release-real-nursing-home-number