Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes (R,C-Caledonia) attended a press conference today, March 25, 2024, alongside Congressman Marc Molinaro, members of the Assembly Minority Conference and advocates of “Voices for Seniors” who lost family members in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been four years since the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) allowed nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients–risking the lives of vulnerable elders.

Thousands of families are still grieving from the state’s lack of response, information and accountability on the issue. The “Reimagining Long-Term Care Task Force,” of 2022 was criticized at the press conference for its lack of response and study on long-term care services in the state, therefore, the elected officials and advocates are calling for an independent review of the state’s response to the COVID crisis.

“It is shameful that thousands of elderly residents were victims during a national pandemic and families have yet to receive justice from such horrific circumstances,” said Byrnes. “My deepest condolences go out to those families and advocates who were with us today and the many others not here– no family should have to advocate while mourning their loss. It is my honor to stand with my colleagues and Voices for Seniors to force those responsible to take full accountability and ensure this disgraceful situation does not happen again.”