Feds Consider Investigation Of COVID Nursing Home Deaths In PA

PENNSYLVANIA — The Justice Department is considering opening an investigation into coronavirus-related deaths in state-run nursing homes in Pennsylvania, as well as several other local states, authorities announced Wednesday.

Officials requested information from Gov. Wolf, as well as the governors of New York, New Jersey, and Michigan. Authorities believe these states required facilities to admit coronavirus patients to vulnerable populations, many times without adequate testing.

"Governor Wolf has two weeks to comply with the requests for information regarding coronavirus deaths in state-run nursing homes," US Attorney William M. McSwain said in a statement on Twitter.

Nursing homes have accounted for the bulk of Pennsylvania's coronavirus related deaths, with 5,157 residents passing away in a long term care facility. In some counties, nursing home deaths have accounted for as many as 80 to 90 percent of all coronavirus deaths in that county.

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“Protecting the rights of some of society’s most vulnerable members, including elderly nursing home residents, is one of our country’s most important obligations,” Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Division Eric Dreiband said in a statement. “We must ensure they are adequately cared for with dignity and respect and not unnecessarily put at risk.”

Many of these state facilities came under intense focus during the height of the pandemic, such as the Southeastern Veterans Center in East Vincent, Chester County, which was described as local leaders as "like a death trap."

"Hearing their (workers') stories and struggles brought me to tears," State Sen. Katie Muth said at the time. "This isn't just a lack of supplies or staffing shortages, this is healthcare providers crying out for help because they feel their patients are at extreme risk because of a failing protocol."

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan has also advocated a federal investigation there, calling it a "tragedy" and criticizing the alleged use of hydroxychloroquine to treat patients, sometimes over the objections of nurses.

The Justice Department's investigation is considering whether the actions taken by Pennsylvania officials in running these homes violated the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act.

Gov. Wolf's office has not yet issued a public comment in response to the request for information.