Ralph de la Torre informed senators it could be inappropriate for him to testify on issues associated to Steward’s chapter whereas these proceedings are ongoing. They requested for a postponement till the proceedings are resolved.
“Members of this Committee proceed to solid aspersions on Dr. de la Torre and seem decided to show the listening to right into a pseudo-criminal continuing through which they use the time, to not collect details, however to convict Dr. de la Torre within the eyes of public opinion,” the letter acknowledged.
Massachusetts Sens. Ed Markey (D) and Elizabeth Warren (D) on Thursday referred to as for de la Torre to be held in contempt.
“You ought to be held in contempt for those who fail to seem. You ought to be fired out of your place as CEO. It is best to lose your medical diploma. And the hundreds of thousands you made off of Steward ought to go to repairing the well being system you broke,” Markey mentioned.
In July, the Senate Well being, Schooling, Labor and Pensions Committee voted to launch a bipartisan investigation into Steward and subpoena de la Torre, alleging that the corporate’s executives had mismanaged the system’s funds and put affected person care in danger.
Steward filed for chapter in Could and has been making an attempt to promote all 30 of its hospitals throughout eight states.
De la Torre for years has confronted accusations that he has personally profited whereas Steward’s hospitals throughout the nation have been failing financially, however he has up to now averted any public response. He declined an earlier alternative to testify, lawmakers mentioned, and provided no counter date or alternate firm official.
Committee chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) mentioned in a press release he was “dissatisfied, however not shocked” that de la Torre was refusing to conform. Sanders mentioned he’s working with committee members to “decide one of the best path ahead.”
Rating Member Invoice Cassidy (R-La.) additionally referred to as for de la Torre to reply the subpoena.
“Defying a congressional subpoena to keep away from testifying is according to a disregard for norms. With a disregard for doing the precise factor. Communities depended upon these hospitals, and there are allegations that belongings have been drained to revenue Dr. de la Torre. It is crucial that he tackle this,” Cassidy mentioned.