SERINO PRESSES HEALTH COMMISSIONER ON STEP-DOWN FACILITIES, NURSING HOME VACCINATIONS & INVESTIGATION AT HEALTH HEARING

ALBANY, NY – At a joint Legislative Budget Hearing today on the Executive’s Health Budget Proposal, Senator Sue Serino pressed the Health Commissioner for answers on step-down facilities, vaccinations, and a more thorough investigation into the state’s handling of the COVID crisis in our nursing homes.

“The Health Commissioner’s testimony today focused on reforms included in the State Budget proposal, but how can we talk about reform when there has not been a comprehensive review of where the state or others really went wrong?” Serino asked. “As committee members, we were limited to only three minutes to ask questions and get answers from the Commissioner in a hearing where a number of other issues related to the health budget also needed to be addressed. That is a far cry from the thorough, independent investigation New Yorkers deserve on this issue of the state’s handling of the COVID crisis in our nursing homes and residential healthcare facilities. When I asked whether the Commissioner would support an independent investigation, the Commissioner seemed to reference the ongoing federal review. While that is a step forward, we will not stop pushing for the real transparency, accountability and effective policy changes that the residents, their loved ones and dedicated staff deserve.”

Senator Serino is the Ranking Member of the Senate’s Aging Committee.

A clip of the exchange between Senator Serino and the Commissioner can be found by clicking here.

To watch the hearing in full, and read testimony submitted, click here.

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