Stec Calls for DOH Audit into Nursing Home Deaths

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today joined several of his Senate Republican colleagues in calling for the Department of Health to conduct an audit into the March 2020 directive to place COVID-positive seniors back into nursing homes. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo and the-DOH Commissioner Howard Zucker authorized this directive and in its aftermath, thousands of death were revealed to have occurred. These deaths were covered up by state officials, leading to widespread outrage and calls for an investigation. 

During her confirmation hearings last month, newly appointed DOH Commissioner Mary Bassett stated she had no plans of investigating the nursing home policy. Stec noted that failure to conduct one is a disservice to the thousands of families who lost loved ones due to this directive and urged the commissioner to take action. 

“Thousands of families impacted by the former governor’s nursing home decision are still searching for answers,” Stec said. “The DOH owes these men and women those answers and must provide accountability. I urge Commissioner Bassett to do the right thing and conduct an audit into the mistakes made by her predecessor. It’s the only way we can move forward from this scandal and ensure similar mistakes don’t happen again.” 

Video of Senator Stec discussing the need for the DOH to conduct an audit can be found at: https://youtu.be/VQGC-0DABRM