Steward Health CEO digs in for a fight

The Big Story 

The CEO of Steward Health Care told a Senate panel he won’t testify at a hearing next week as part of an investigation into the company’s bankruptcy, in defiance of a subpoena.   

© The Hill, Greg Nash

Ralph de la Torre told senators it would be inappropriate for him to testify on matters related to Steward’s bankruptcy while those proceedings are ongoing. They asked for a postponement until the proceedings are resolved.  

“Members of this Committee continue to cast aspersions on Dr. de la Torre and appear determined to turn the hearing into a pseudo-criminal proceeding in which they use the time, not to gather facts, but to convict Dr. de la Torre in the eyes of public opinion,” the letter stated. 

Massachusetts Sens. Ed Markey (D) and Elizabeth Warren (D) on Thursday called for de la Torre to be held in contempt.  

“You should be held in contempt if you fail to appear. You should be fired from your position as CEO. You should lose your medical degree. And the millions you made off of Steward should go to repairing the health system you broke,” Markey said. 

In July, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted to launch a bipartisan investigation into Steward and subpoena de la Torre, alleging that the company’s executives had mismanaged the system’s finances and put patient care at risk. 

Steward filed for bankruptcy in May and has been trying to sell all 30 of its hospitals across eight states.  

De la Torre for years has faced accusations that he has personally profited while Steward’s hospitals across the country have been failing financially, but he has so far avoided any public response. He declined an earlier opportunity to testify, lawmakers said, and offered no counter date or alternate company official.  

Committee chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement he was “disappointed, but not surprised” that de la Torre was refusing to comply. Sanders said he’s working with committee members to “determine the best path forward.” 

Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) also called for de la Torre to answer the subpoena.  

“Defying a congressional subpoena to avoid testifying is consistent with a disregard for norms. With a disregard for doing the right thing. Communities depended upon these hospitals, and there are allegations that assets were drained to profit Dr. de la Torre. It is important that he address this,” Cassidy said.  

Welcome to The Hill’s Health Care newsletter, we’re Nathaniel Weixel, Joseph Choi and Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.

Essential Reads 

How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond:

FDA initiating new review of toxic metals in tampons

Youth vaping dropped to lowest levels in a decade, federal data shows

Exposure to ‘forever chemicals’ during early pregnancy may be linked to future obesity, heart issues: Study

In Other News 

Branch out with a different read:

Nearly 20 percent of dementia cases could be prevented through better eye health: Study

Nearly 1 in 5 dementia cases could be associated with vision impairment, according to a study published Thursday, suggesting better eye health could help to lower the diagnosis rate.

Full Story

The Hill event

Boosting the Status Quo: Vaccinating America’s Most Vulnerable | Sept. 17 in Washington, D.C., 7:45 am- 10:15 am EDT | In person & streaming nationally 

Join The Hill as we convene leaders in Congress, the administration, health care and patient advocacy to discuss the merits and challenges of the ECAPS bill, effectiveness of vaccination programs and address the challenges of patient access and the broader long-term care pharmacy market.

Click here to RSVP

Around the Nation 

Local and state headlines on health care:

• Study reveals critical oral health gaps across New York (Spectrum News 1)

• Northern California healthcare giant charged 30 percent more than other hospitals (San Francisco Chronicle)

• CT hospital workers demand more security amid safety concerns (CT Mirror)

What We’re Reading 

Health news we’ve flagged from other outlets:

• As interest from families wanes, pediatricians scale back on COVID shots (KFF Health News)

• Self-swab HPV test to arrive at doctors’ offices this month (ABC News)

• How a bat disease could have led to the death of over 1,000 kids (The Washington Post)

What Others are Reading 

Most read stories on The Hill right now:

GOP sees worrying signs in North Carolina governor’s race

Republicans in North Carolina are facing worrying signs in the governor’s race amid a torrent of negative headlines surrounding their candidate, Lt. … Read more

Forecasting pioneer predicts Harris will win election

A notable elections forecaster predicted Vice President Harris will win November’s election, according to his model of 13 keys. Allan Lichtman, a … Read more

You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!