Steward's CEO Dr. Ralph De La Torre leaves the bankrupt company
Dr. Ralph de la Torre, CEO of Dallas-based Steward Healthcare, who was held in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify about the company's bankruptcy, is leaving the troubled company. A Steward spokesperson confirmed the news in a statement emailed to NewsCenter 5. “While Dr. de la Torre has amicably parted ways with Steward on mutually agreeable terms, he will continue to be a tireless advocate for improving reimbursement rates for underserved patient populations. Dr. de la Torre is on this mission. “Calls for continued focus and believes that Steward's financial challenges put a much-needed spotlight on Massachusetts' health care structure and the ongoing failure to fix inequities in its state system,” the statement said. Prior to founding Steward with the backing of Cerberus Capital Management, de la Torre was CEO of Boston-based Caritas Christi Healthcare. He was previously a cardiac surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Last week's contempt vote against de la Torre marks the first time since 1971 that a man has faced charges by the Senate, which enables the judiciary to take over the case and pursue criminal prosecution. Positive votes can lead to fines, criminal prosecution and possible jail time. Earlier this month, de la Torre was absent from a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the bankruptcy of his company, which operates a Massachusetts hospital. De la Torre was first subpoenaed in July, but has repeatedly stated that he will not attend the hearing. His attorneys sent a letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, invoking his Fifth Amendment right not to testify. “Dr. de la Torre cannot be permitted to testify under oath at this time, given that the hearing was designed as a vehicle to violate Dr. de la Torre's constitutional rights, including his Fifth Amendment rights,” the letter states. “If the Committee has any concerns for hospitals affected by Steward's bankruptcy proceedings, it would be consistent with Dr. de la Torre's request to postpone the hearing to a more appropriate time, allow the bankruptcy resolution to proceed and focus its actions on addressing the legality. Steward patients, hospitals and The question is in the best interest of the community. Video below: Congress scorns Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, a member of the committee whose office recently released a report blaming the stewardship crisis on “corporate greed,” complaining that companies care more about profits than patients. . His report alleged that hospitals under Steward's management were “engaged” in the pursuit of profit maximization, while patients suffered extended emergency waiting times, deteriorating facilities and high mortality rates. Steward filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 6. Maura Haley on Friday formally seized Boston's St. Elizabeth Medical Center through eminent domain to keep the hospital open. Previously, a bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Steward's remaining six hospitals in Massachusetts. The judge said the steward and creditors still have to work out some differences, which is expected to be done by the end of the month. Kearney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center closed in late August because Steward could not find a qualified bidder. The future of Norwood Hospital, which was under construction, remains unclear
Dallas-based Steward Healthcare CEO Dr. Ralph De La Torre, who was held in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify about the company's bankruptcy, is leaving the troubled company.
A Steward spokesperson confirmed the news in a statement emailed to NewsCenter 5.
“While Dr. de la Torre has amicably parted ways with Steward on mutually agreeable terms, he will continue to be a tireless advocate for improving reimbursement rates for underserved patient populations. Dr. de la Torre calls for continued focus on this mission and believes Steward's financial challenges to Massachusetts' health care structure and puts a much-needed spotlight on the ongoing failure to fix the inequities of his state system,” the statement said.
Prior to founding Steward with the backing of Cerberus Capital Management, de la Torre was CEO of Boston-based Caritas Christi Healthcare. He was previously a cardiac surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Last week's contempt vote against de la Torre marks the first time since 1971 that a man has faced charges by the Senate, which enables the judiciary to take over the case and pursue criminal prosecution. Positive votes can lead to fines, criminal prosecution and possible jail time.
Earlier this month, de la Torre was absent from a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the bankruptcy of his company, which operated several Massachusetts hospitals.
De la Torre was first subpoenaed in July, but he has repeatedly stated in statements that he will not attend the hearing.
His attorneys sent a letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, invoking his Fifth Amendment right not to testify.
“Dr. de la Torre cannot be permitted to testify under oath at this time, given that the hearing was designed as a vehicle to violate Dr. de la Torre's constitutional rights, including his Fifth Amendment rights,” the letter states. “If the Committee has any concerns for hospitals affected by Steward's bankruptcy proceedings, it would be consistent with Dr. de la Torre's request to postpone the hearing to a more appropriate time, allow the bankruptcy resolution to proceed and focus its actions on addressing the legality. Steward patients, hospitals and The question is in the best interest of the community.”
Video below: De La Torre insults Congress
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, a committee member whose office recently released a report blaming the stewardship crisis on “corporate greed,” charged that companies care more about profits than patients.
His report alleged that hospitals under Steward's management were “built” to maximize profits, while patients suffered extended emergency waiting times, deteriorating facilities and high mortality rates.
Steward filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 6.
Gov. Maura Haley on Friday officially seized Boston's St. Elizabeth Medical Center through eminent domain to keep the hospital open.
Previously, a bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Steward's remaining six hospitals in Massachusetts. The judge said the steward and creditors still need to iron out some differences, which is expected to be done by the end of the month.
Kearney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center closed at the end of August after Steward could not find qualified bidders.
The future of the under-construction Norwood Hospital remains unclear.
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