New Jersey is launching an independent review of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the state of readiness in early 2020 and how the state responded to the many challenges that emerged over the past three years, including those related to long-term care, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced Monday.
The Garden State is the first in the nation to commission an independent and comprehensive review on the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the governor’s office.
James W. McCracken, president and CEO of LeadingAge of New Jersey and Delaware, already has an assessment.
“COVID-19 has had devastating effects on our society. We discovered early on that governments were not prepared to support healthcare providers in responding to this uncompromising virus,” he told the McKnight’s Business Daily on Tuesday.
“Initially, there were supply chain shortages of personal protective equipment, little knowledge of the disease itself, no testing mechanisms and no vaccines. Healthcare workers stepped up to the plate, worked long hours and placed themselves at risk to care for others. Excellent care was provided by these heroes and thousands of lives were saved,” McCracken added.
The state’s review will look not only to readiness in New Jersey for a pandemic in early 2020 but also at prominent emergency policy decisions that were made by the state government; the pandemic response with respect to vulnerable residents, including members of congregate care settings; and the state government’s efforts to continue core functions, including providing direct services to residents. The review of the COVID-19 response also will look at how the government handled managing public health aspects of the pandemic, such as testing, vaccinations, PPE procurement and distribution, and disseminating health information.
“While COVID-19 is still present in our state, nation and world, we have moved from the pandemic to the endemic phase, and now is the right time to undertake such an independent review,” the governor said.
Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, in conjunction with the management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group, will conduct the review. The team at Montgomery McCracken Walker and Rhoades will be led by Paul Zoubek, who was first assistant attorney general during the administrations of Republican governors Christie Whitman and Donald DiFrancesco.
“As a widely respected, apolitical and experienced state and federal prosecutor, Paul Zoubek is exactly the right person to lead this review and has the experience in emergency management and government investigations that makes him perfectly suited for this task,” Murphy said.
The findings are expected to be released in a report in late 2023, along with recommendations to better prepare the state in the event of another public health emergency.
McCracken said that LeadingAge New Jersey and Delaware welcomes “the concept of an independent review and hope that the report of the team selected to review the state’s response will contain recommendations to improve readiness.”
