Full Breakdown
Stefanik Presses Hochul for Clarity on Controversial Do Not Resuscitate Order
12/19/2025, 9:40:08 PM
Overview of the Controversy
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is calling on New York Governor Kathy Hochul to disclose information regarding a controversial "Do not resuscitate" policy that was briefly enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The directive, which was in effect from April 17 to April 20, 2020, instructed emergency medical services (EMS) workers not to attempt resuscitation on patients without a pulse. This policy was reversed after public outcry and is now under scrutiny as Stefanik seeks to understand its impact on patient outcomes.
Background of the Directive
The "Do not resuscitate" order was issued amid a surge in COVID-19 cases that overwhelmed New York's healthcare system. State officials justified the measure as a way to protect EMS workers from unnecessary exposure to the virus, citing the need to prioritize resources as emergency rooms were inundated with patients. This directive marked a significant departure from the New York State Department of Health's long-standing practice of attempting resuscitation for at least 20 minutes.
Stefanik's Demands
Stefanik, who is positioning herself to challenge Hochul in the upcoming gubernatorial race, has expressed her belief that every patient deserves the chance for lifesaving care. She has formally requested data on how many New Yorkers may have died as a result of the policy, the number of EMS calls made during its enforcement, and which counties complied with the directive. Stefanik criticized the order as "immoral" and a betrayal of the principle of patient care, emphasizing that many EMS workers in New York City disregarded the directive.
Official Responses
In response to Stefanik's demands, a spokesperson for Hochul stated that the governor had no role in issuing the directive while serving as lieutenant governor. The spokesperson emphasized that only the governor has direct oversight of state agencies, implying that Stefanik's criticisms are misplaced. Hochul's office has not provided specific data regarding the order's impact, but the governor has announced plans to sign a right-to-die bill, which has further fueled the debate surrounding patient rights and end-of-life care.
Criticism of the Policy
Critics of the "Do not resuscitate" order, including Stefanik, argue that it had deadly consequences for families who may never know if their loved ones could have been saved. The policy's abrupt suspension after three days highlights the contentious nature of its implementation and the ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare providers during the pandemic.
What's Next
As the political landscape shifts with the upcoming gubernatorial election, the fallout from the "Do not resuscitate" order is likely to remain a focal point in the discourse surrounding healthcare policies in New York. Stefanik's push for transparency may lead to further investigations into the decision-making processes that led to the controversial directive.
Verbatim Quotes
“Every patient deserves a chance at lifesaving care. This order was a betrayal of that principle.” — Elise Stefanik, U.S. Representative
“Tragically, EMS workers in the rest of the state were bound by the state government’s order, with deadly consequences for families who will never know if their loved ones could have been saved.” — Elise Stefanik, U.S. Representative
“Once again, Elise Stefanik is showing how little she understands state government.” — Hochul's spokesperson
“Only the Governor has direct oversight of state agencies,” — Hochul's spokesperson
