Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has expressed his readiness to pursue contempt charges against Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre if he doesn’t appear at a hearing despite being subpoenaed. Sanders stated that de la Torre needs to address the public about how he earned significant amounts of money while Steward Health Care faced bankruptcy. Steward Health Care, with around 30 hospitals nationwide, filed for bankruptcy in May, leading to the closure of Carney Hospital in Boston and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer due to insufficient bids. Despite the approval of the sale of other Massachusetts hospitals by a federal bankruptcy court, questions remain unanswered.
Sanders revealed that de la Torre’s failure to attend the hearing arises from his reluctance to explain his significant financial gains in contrast to the hospital’s financial struggles, resulting in layoffs of staff and the closure of hospitals. Sanders highlighted the disparity between de la Torre’s wealth and the adverse impacts on low and middle-income individuals deprived of essential healthcare services. Allegations of patient deaths in Steward hospitals due to staffing inadequacies or medical equipment shortages have also been raised.
De la Torre’s legal team argued that he cannot testify due to ongoing settlement efforts and a court order prohibiting him from discussing related matters. Despite the possibility of testifying at a later date, Sanders dismissed it as a delay tactic. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, chaired by Sanders, might consider holding de la Torre in contempt, which could lead to fines or even jail time, subject to a Senate vote. De la Torre declined prior invitations to testify at a Boston field hearing earlier this year chaired by Senator Edward Markey.
