Lawmakers Urge Gov. Cuomo to Allow More Nursing-Home Visits

   Gov. Andrew Cuomo should lift the remaining restrictions for visits at nursing homes, argued 24 New York state Democratic lawmakers in a letter they sent the governor this week.

    The facilities that are offering visiting hours often allow visits only once or twice a week, often only on weekdays, and only for 30 minutes, made via appointments that are difficult and time-consuming to secure, many families have objected.

     “In the year before vaccinations became available, our seniors endured loneliness and isolation that had very real impacts on their physical and mental health,” the lawmakers wrote in the July 12 letter to Gov. Cuomo.

     While socialization is crucial for most people’s peace of mind, after 15,800 patients died of COVID-19 in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, state health officials barred any visiting hours to keep everyone safe.

     Even as federal guidance has allowed the New York Department of Health to slowly loosen restrictions, not all nursing homes have re-implemented visiting hours. 

    “To be clear: DOH’s nursing home visitation guidance does not limit the length of time for nursing home visits,” DOH spokesperson Jeffrey Hammond said. "Compassionate care visits [for patients receiving end of life care or who are in emotional distress] should be permitted at all times.”

     New York’s Department of Health released updated rules last week that said nursing homes can face citation and enforcement actions for restricting visitation without a “reasonable clinical or safety cause” under federal law.

     State Sen. Rachel May (D), who is pushing for a new law that allow limited visits for nursing home residents during public health emergencies, said lawmakers are hearing from too many constituents who find it difficult to visit loved ones.

     In addition, U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, (NY-R) is sponsoring a similar bill at the federal level.

   “Obviously states need to have control over out-of-control public health emergencies,” state Sen. May said. “Barring that it seems to me that if your nursing home is your home, you should have the right to visit your person and that should be pretty basic.”