The State Legislature will return to session on July 20—mostly remotely—for the first time since April. They are expected to act on several bills related to the COVID-19 pandemic, policing, local measures, and possibly New York’s precarious financial situation—the State faces a $13.3 billion deficit. Committees in both houses are set to consider legislation this week. For more information on key proposed bills, please see this Government Affairs Alert (“Legislature on Pause, But Ready to Act,” 6/26).
Albany leaders also are planning eight COVID-19-related hearings—they will likely be jointly held by the Assembly and Senate—including one on nursing homes. Last week, the State Department of Health (DOH) reported that COVID-19 fatalities in nursing homes are directly correlated to infected nursing home staff and visitors—not nursing home admission policies, as some have argued.
Please see ML-106 for more information on the DOH report and GNYHA’s response.