Members of a U.S. Senate committee investigating the bankruptcy of Steward Health Care have adopted two resolutions on Thursday to hold CEO Ralph de la Torre in contempt for not testifying before the panel. Despite being issued a subpoena, de la Torre refused to attend a committee hearing.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, stated that de la Torre’s actions left the committee with no choice but to seek contempt charges. A letter from de la Torre’s attorney cited concerns about violating his Fifth Amendment rights.
One resolution aims for civil enforcement to require de la Torre’s testimony, while the other seeks criminal prosecution for failing to comply with the subpoena. Sanders emphasized that de la Torre, despite his wealth, is not above the law.
Steward Health Care, based in Texas and operating about 30 hospitals nationwide, filed for bankruptcy in May. The company has been selling off hospitals and making cuts to services, leading to concerns about patient care and safety.
During testimony, a nurse highlighted instances of preventable harm and deaths due to understaffing under Steward’s management. The nurse also described a situation where nurses had to purchase bereavement boxes out of their own pockets for babies who had died because the company failed to pay a vendor.
Overall, the Senate committee’s actions signal a willingness to hold accountable corporate executives who prioritize profits over patient care, setting a precedent for corporate responsibility in the healthcare industry.
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