Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I-Ballston) signed onto a letter with colleagues from the Assembly Minority Conference to Dr. Kastner, the Commissioner of the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), requesting all data and information relating to the impact COVID-19 has had on group homes and group home residents.

On April 10, 2020, the Cuomo administration issued a directive that allowed patients who tested positive with COVID-19 to be re-admitted back into group homes. This policy is still in place today. However, information regarding the directive, its impacts, deaths from COVID-19 and authorization for family members to visit group homes is completely lacking.

“Residents in group homes and their families deserve answers and up-to-date data on the impact COVID-19 has had on group homes and what negative consequences the April 10 directive could have had on residents in these facilities,” said Walsh.

“The Cuomo administration continues to put politics above people. We’ve seen it already with the nursing homes scandal and cover-ups. Now, we’re seeing it again with our individuals in group homes. It’s completely unacceptable behavior from our governor and we need answers now,” Walsh continued. “I’m proud to be standing with my colleagues in the Assembly Minority Conference in urging for action to be taken and questions to be answered.”