Dr. Ralph de la Torre, CEO of Dallas-based Steward Healthcare, is leaving the troubled company after being charged with contempt of Congress for refusing to testify about the company’s bankruptcy. It happened. A Steward spokesperson confirmed the news in a statement emailed to News Center. 5. “Dr. de la Torre has amicably separated from Steward on mutually agreeable terms and will continue to be a tireless advocate for improving reimbursement rates for underserved patient populations. Dr. de la Torre urges us to remain focused on this mission.” Steward’s financial woes are a much-needed reminder of Massachusetts’ continued failure to improve its health care structure and the inequities in our state system. “We believe this will shine a spotlight on the future of the world,” the statement said. Prior to founding Steward with support from Cerberus Capital Management, Mr. de la Torre served as CEO of Boston-based Caritas Christi Health Care. He was also previously a cardiac surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Last week’s contempt vote against de la Torre was the first time an individual has been charged with such a crime in the Senate since 1971, and it allows the Justice Department to take over the case and pursue criminal prosecution. A yes vote could result in fines, criminal prosecution and prison time.Earlier this month, Delatorre filed a lawsuit against the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee regarding the bankruptcy of his company, which operated several hospitals in Massachusetts. He was absent from the public hearing. Delatorre was first subpoenaed in July, but has repeatedly said he would not attend the hearing. His lawyers sent a letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, invoking the Fifth Amendment right not to testify. “Given that the hearing appears to have been designed as a means to violate Dr. Delatorre’s constitutional rights, including his Fifth Amendment rights, it is inappropriate for Dr. Delatorre to testify under oath at this time,” the letter said. It is not allowed,” it says. “If the Committee is concerned about the hospitals affected by Steward’s bankruptcy proceedings, we will allow the bankruptcy resolution to move forward, in line with Dr. Dela Torre’s request to postpone the hearing to a more appropriate time. “We will focus our efforts on pursuing legitimate litigation.” ” Video below: Mr. de la Torre arrested for contempt of Congress Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, a member of the committee whose office recently blamed the Steward crisis on “corporate greed.” “Published a report blaming the company” for putting profits before patients. His report found that hospitals under Steward’s control were being “destroyed” in pursuit of maximum profits, while patients suffered from long emergency wait times, aging equipment and rising mortality rates. It is claimed that it was done. On May 6, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Maura Healey formally took over St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Boston on Friday through her prominent estate to keep the hospital open. Earlier, a bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Steward’s remaining six hospitals in Massachusetts. The judge said the stewards and lenders still needed to resolve some differences, which would hopefully be done by the end of this month. Kearney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center closed in late August after stewards could not find a qualified bidder. The future of Norwood Hospital, which is under construction, remains uncertain.
NEEDHAM, MA —
Dr. Ralph de la Torre, CEO of Dallas-based Steward Healthcare, is leaving the troubled company after being charged with contempt of Congress for refusing to testify about the company’s bankruptcy. .
A Steward spokesperson confirmed the news in a statement emailed to News Center 5.
“Dr. de la Torre has amicably separated from Steward on mutually agreeable terms and will continue to be a tireless advocate for improving reimbursement rates for disadvantaged patient populations. Dr. La Torre urges us to remain focused on this mission and believes that Steward’s financial difficulties are the result of Massachusetts’ continued failure to improve its health care structure and the state system’s failings. “It shines a much-needed spotlight on equity,” the statement said.
Prior to founding Steward with support from Cerberus Capital Management, Mr. de la Torre served as CEO of Boston-based Caritas Christi Health Care. He was also previously a cardiac surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Last week’s contempt vote against de la Torre was the first time an individual has been charged with such a crime in the Senate since 1971, and it allows the Justice Department to take over the case and pursue criminal prosecution. A yes vote could result in fines, criminal prosecution and prison sentences.
kevin wolfe
Dr. Ralph de la Torre’s vacancy in committee hearings.
Earlier this month, Delatorre was absent from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for a hearing on the bankruptcy of his company, which operated several hospitals in Massachusetts.
Delatorre was first subpoenaed in July, but has repeatedly issued statements saying he would not attend the hearing.
His lawyers sent a letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, invoking his Fifth Amendment right not to testify.
“Given that the hearing appears to have been designed as a means to violate Dr. Delatorre’s constitutional rights, including his Fifth Amendment rights, Dr. Delatorre’s sworn testimony is not permitted at this time,” the letter said. It is written. “If the Committee is concerned about the hospitals affected by Steward’s bankruptcy proceedings, we will allow the bankruptcy resolution to move forward, in line with Dr. Dela Torre’s request to postpone the hearing to a more appropriate time. “We will focus our efforts on legitimate litigation.” Ask stewards questions that are in the best interests of patients, the hospital, and the community. ”
Video below: Mr. de la Torre arrested for contempt of Congress
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, a member of the committee, said the committee recently released a report blaming the stewardship crisis on “corporate greed,” but that companies are more concerned about profits than patients. claimed to have done so.
His report said hospitals under Steward’s control were being “destroyed” in the pursuit of maximum profits, with patients suffering long emergency wait times, dilapidated equipment and rising mortality rates. claims.
Steward filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 6.
Gov. Maura Healey formally took over St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Boston on Friday through a prominent estate to keep the hospital open.
Earlier, a bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Steward’s remaining six hospitals in Massachusetts. The judge said the stewards and lenders still needed to resolve some differences, which they would hopefully do by the end of this month.
Kearney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center closed in late August after stewards could not find a qualified bidder.
The future of Norwood Hospital, which is under construction, remains uncertain.
