Sen. Sanders threatens contempt charges against Steward CEO if absent

Vermont U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders announced his intention to pursue contempt charges against Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre if he fails to attend a scheduled hearing. This comes after Steward Health Care filed for bankruptcy in May, despite de la Torre reportedly earning hundreds of millions of dollars. Sanders emphasized the need for de la Torre to explain his financial gains while the company struggled, leading to hospital closures and layoffs in low-income communities. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, chaired by Sanders, is investigating the circumstances surrounding Steward's bankruptcy and de la Torre's financial decisions. Lawyers representing de la Torre have stated that he will not testify due to a federal court order that restricts him from discussing ongoing reorganization efforts. They argue that the committee's actions could infringe upon de la Torre's constitutional rights. Despite the legal constraints, Sanders believes there are still questions that de la Torre could address. He criticized de la Torre for his wealth accumulation amid the financial struggles of the hospitals, highlighting the impact on communities that lost access to essential healthcare services. The committee has options to hold de la Torre in either criminal or civil contempt, which could lead to significant legal repercussions. The upcoming hearing is expected to include testimonies from nurses who worked at the affected hospitals, further shedding light on the consequences of Steward's financial decisions. Sanders remains determined to hold de la Torre accountable, asserting that the situation reflects a broader issue of corporate greed in the healthcare sector.