In a significant development, the House subcommittee probing the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic has issued a subpoena to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo regarding the handling of nursing homes during the health crisis. The subpoena is related to one of Cuomo's administration's most controversial directives, which involved admitting recovering COVID-positive patients into nursing homes from hospitals. This decision has faced criticism, as it is believed to have contributed to increased deaths in these facilities.

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, led by Republican Representative James Comer, seeks to question Cuomo about the directive and the effectiveness of federal guidance and regulations implemented during the pandemic. The subpoena requests Cuomo's deposition in Washington on May 24.

Cuomo, who was once praised for his leadership during the pandemic and held daily briefings, has defended the March 2020 directive, stating that it was based on federal guidelines. He accused those investigating the issue of "playing politics." His spokesperson referred to the subpoena as "an obvious press charade," accusing Congress of politicizing COVID-19 and weaponizing people's pain and loss.

This subpoena marks the latest development in the scrutiny Cuomo has faced over his administration's handling of nursing homes during the pandemic. Earlier this year, federal prosecutors investigated Cuomo's coronavirus task force, focusing on nursing homes. However, no charges were brought against Cuomo or his administration.

The House subcommittee's letter accompanying the subpoena directly links Cuomo's directive to "predictable but deadly consequences" in nursing homes. It refers to "troubling evidence" suggesting that Cuomo's administration either downplayed the impacts of the directive or covered them up. The committee emphasizes the need for Cuomo to provide answers to the families of the 15,000 individuals who lost their lives in New York nursing homes during the pandemic.

Cuomo's administration has previously come under fire for allegedly misreporting the number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. A report from New York State Attorney General Letitia James found that COVID deaths in the state were undercounted by as much as 50%. Cuomo later admitted fault and acknowledged the need for more timely information.

The subpoena was issued after months of correspondence between Cuomo's attorney and the subcommittee. Cuomo's attorney had previously offered to schedule a voluntary interview in August, which the committee deemed as an attempt to delay and undermine the investigation. Cuomo's spokesperson disputes this characterization, asserting that they had provided dates for an interview two weeks ago and even offered to answer questions in writing.

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic was formed in 2020 to investigate the nation's response to the ongoing health crisis. The outcome of Cuomo's deposition and subsequent investigation could have significant ramifications for the former governor and shed further light on the decisions made during the pandemic.

As of now, it remains to be seen how Cuomo will respond to the subpoena and whether he will comply with the committee's request for a deposition. This legal proceeding adds another chapter to the ongoing scrutiny over the handling of nursing homes during the pandemic and seeks to ensure that fatal mistakes are not repeated in the future.