Assemblywoman Buttenschon has been a leading voice in calling for the state to protect New York’s vulnerable residents in nursing homes, which had some of the earliest and deadliest outbreaks of COVID-19. Earlier this year, she called on the governor and state to protect nursing homes from experiencing outbreaks of the virus. She has also pushed to have all stakeholders be part of the discussion on how to improve and effectively respond to COVID-19. After recent discoveries within nursing homes, Buttenschon is pushing for a response and answers.

On Monday, August 10, 2020, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D, I-Utica/Rome) attended the state Legislature’s joint public hearing, to discuss the impacts that COVID-19 has had on residential health care facilities and the state’s response.

“The state’s COVID-19 response must place New Yorkers’ health and safety at the forefront, especially for residents and staff at nursing homes,” Buttenschon said. “Hearing firsthand how COVID-19 has impacted nursing homes and the effectiveness of policies implemented at these facilities will help ensure best practices are followed moving forward. I’ll continue working to make sure the state’s response is driven by facts and science and protects our vulnerable population.”

The hearing sought input from upstate stakeholders related to the distribution of medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE), safety inspections and enforcement at residential health care facilities and other long-term care providers. Best practices and procedures implemented at these facilities in response to COVID-19 will also be discussed. The goal of the hearing was to identify what measures need to be taken to reduce the infection and mortality rates and improve outcomes for patients, staff and families in the future. It is important to learn from the tragic deaths and illnesses that occurred and hear from the experts so we can ensure employees, residents, and their families can remain safe and healthy while living and working in the long term facilities.