Rockland Reporter

Yesterday, a group of New York Republican representatives led by Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) addressed a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The letter demands an official determination regarding whether former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s nursing home directive from March 25, 2020, complied with federal guidelines. This directive required nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients and has been associated with over 15,000 deaths during the early stages of the pandemic.

Congressman Mike Lawler stated, “Five years ago, over 15,000 vulnerable New Yorkers died in nursing homes because of a reckless directive that forced COVID-positive patients into ill-prepared nursing home facilities after kicking them out of hospitals.” He emphasized the need for clarity on whether Cuomo’s order adhered to or defied federal guidelines. “Families of our constituents deserve answers, not excuses,” he added.

Lawler continued by asserting that the request is not politically motivated but rather a call for accountability concerning a policy that resulted in significant loss of life. “This isn’t about politics – it’s about accountability for a policy that led to death. We won’t stop until the facts are on the table.”

The delegation includes Representatives Nick LaLota (NY-01), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), and Nick Langworthy (NY-23).

Congressman Lawler is recognized as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which covers areas north of New York City including Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.