Several political leaders, including Massachusetts U.S. Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren, expressed their criticism towards Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre for refusing to comply with a subpoena to appear before a Senate committee. De la Torre’s lawyers cited a federal court order preventing him from discussing ongoing reorganization and settlement efforts due to the company’s bankruptcy.
Warren and Markey dismissed these concerns, accusing de la Torre of trying to evade accountability. Steward Health Care, which filed for bankruptcy in May and is selling its hospitals, faced inadequate bids for some facilities. The senators called for de la Torre’s ouster and criticized his decision not to testify at a Senate hearing earlier in the year.
In response, de la Torre’s lawyers argued that the Senate committee was trying to turn the hearing into a “pseudo-criminal proceeding.” Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders stated that Congress would hold de la Torre accountable for the company’s mismanagement and damage to hospitals and patients nationwide. The committee’s options include holding de la Torre in contempt, leading to possible fines or jail time.
The situation highlights the ongoing tension between political leaders and corporate executives, with calls for transparency and accountability in the healthcare industry. The outcome of this dispute will determine the future actions of Steward Health Care and its leadership.
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