NJ lawmakers push bipartisan plan to investigate COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes

Two state lawmakers, one Republican and one Democrat, are looking to form a special legislative committee that has subpoena power in order to investigate what circumstances led to thousands of Covid-19 related deaths at nursing homes in New Jersey.

The state Senators, Nia Gill (D-Essex) and Joseph Pennachio (R-Morris), have already co-sponsored a resolution that would establish the panel.

The panel’s objective would be to look into how the pandemic was handled at long-term care facilities in the state, which includes private nursing homes and veteran homes run by the state.

Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and his administration have long been accused by Republicans of poorly handling the coronavirus response in care centers. Since May 2020, Pennachio has been calling for legislative action. 

Since Gill, a Democrat, is also supportive of the investigative cause, more attention has been drawn to the effort. “To fully understand how this happened, we must have public hearings,” Gill commented in a statement on Monday. “By having this public investigation, we can ensure all voices are heard and considered in determining future policy decisions.”

But still, it remains unlikely that the bipartisan resolution will make progress in the state Senate, which is Democratic-controlled. 

Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex and Senate Health Committee Chairman, commented to NJ Advance Media on Monday that there are so far no plans to post the bill for a vote in his committee as federal officials have been conducting their own investigation.

“The Legislature lacks the resources to conduct anywhere near the thorough investigation, said Vitale, adding that top Democrats are planning to “wait and see” what the probe uncovers so they “can act accordingly.” Vitale continued, “Who’s gonna do [our] investigation? Joe Pennachio? I’m not saying we could not conduct one. But it would not be as thorough.”