Senate committee moves to hold Steward Health CEO in contempt

A U.S. Senate committee has taken steps to hold Ralph de la Torre, CEO of Steward Health Care, in contempt for failing to comply with a subpoena to testify regarding the company's bankruptcy. The committee adopted two resolutions: one for civil enforcement, which would involve a lawsuit to compel his testimony, and another for criminal contempt, which would refer the case to the U.S. attorney for prosecution. De la Torre's attorney argued that testifying would violate his Fifth Amendment rights, claiming the committee's proceedings could unfairly portray him as a scapegoat for broader systemic issues in Massachusetts' health care system. The committee's frustration stems from de la Torre's repeated refusals to appear, despite multiple invitations. Senator Bernie Sanders criticized de la Torre for his lack of cooperation, emphasizing that wealth does not exempt individuals from legal obligations. The backdrop of this controversy includes Steward Health Care's bankruptcy filing in May and the closure of several hospitals and services, raising concerns about patient safety and care quality. Testimonies from health care professionals highlighted severe mismanagement under Steward's leadership, including instances where patients faced preventable harm due to understaffing. One nurse recounted a distressing situation where bereaved families received inadequate support, illustrating the dire consequences of the company's financial decisions. As the Senate committee prepares to escalate its actions, the implications of de la Torre's noncompliance could lead to significant legal repercussions, further scrutiny of Steward Health Care's practices, and a potential impact on the health care landscape in Massachusetts.