Congressional lawmakers this week backed legislation that would launch a study to determine how to prevent the spread of communicable diseases like COVID-19 in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 

The legislation has drawn bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats in Congress as congregate care facilities remain a vulnerable point in the ongoing pandemic. 

“Nursing homes in Upstate New York have been hit especially hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The outbreaks we’ve seen in adult living facilities across NY-19 and our country are heartbreaking. In addition to increased financial assistance and access to testing, it is critically important that we determine what safety improvements can be made to protect our loved ones," Democratic Rep. Antonio Delgado said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill, which takes the necessary steps to address housing safety measures and stop the spread of COVID-19 among our most vulnerable populations.”

More than 6,500 nursing home residents have died in New York amid the coronavirus pandemic, though that number is likely higher as state health officials do not count residents who may have contracted COVID-19 in the facilities, but died somewhere else. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration has pointed to asymptomatic staffers in the homes potentially spreading the virus in March and April to residents before new testing protocols took effect.

“With more than 6,000 COVID-19 deaths in New York state adult living facilities, I am highly concerned about the transmission of COVID-19 amongst seniors," said Rep. John Katko, a Republican. "These tragic statistics highlight the urgent need for legislation to address the spread of disease in nursing homes and assisted living facilities."

Both Katko and Delgado are seeking re-election on November 3. Katko faces Democrat Dan Balter in a Central New York House seat; Delgado is running for a second term in a Hudson Valley district against challenger Kyle Van De Water.