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, will leave the troubled company. A spokesperson for Steward confirmed the news through a statement emailed to News Center 5. “While Dr. De La Torre has parted amicably with Steward on mutually acceptable terms, he will continue to be a tireless advocate for improving reimbursement rates for underserved patients. Dr. De La Torre urges “We believe that Steward’s financial challenges shine a much-needed spotlight on Massachusetts’ continued failure to reform the health care structure and inequities in the state’s system,” the statement said. De la Torre was CEO of Boston-based Caritas Christi Health Care and was also previously a cardiothoracic surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The vote against de la Torre last week was the first time since 1971 that an individual has faced such charges By the Senate, which enables the Department of Justice to take over the case and pursue criminal prosecution. A positive vote could lead to fines, criminal prosecution and possible imprisonment. Earlier this month, de la Torre missed a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing About the bankruptcy of his company, which operates several Massachusetts hospitals. De la Torre was first summoned in July, but has issued repeated statements saying he will not attend the hearing. His lawyers sent a letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, citing 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 apparently designed as a means of violating Dr. De La Torre’s constitutional rights, including his Fifth Amendment rights,” the letter said. “If the Commission has any concern about hospitals affected by Steward’s bankruptcy proceedings, it will, consistent with Dr. de la Torre’s request to postpone the hearing for a more appropriate period, allow the bankruptcy resolution to move forward and focus its proceedings on addressing the legitimate issues.” Questions that are of interest to Steward’s patients, hospitals and communities. “, alleged that the company cared more about profits than patients. His report alleges that hospitals under Steward’s management were “ruined” in the pursuit of maximum profits, while patients suffered long wait times in emergency situations, deteriorating facilities and high death rates. Steward has filed for Chapter 11 From bankruptcy protection on May 6. Maura Healey on Friday formally took over St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston via a landmark to keep the hospital open. Previously, a bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Steward’s six remaining hospitals in Massachusetts, the judge said They still need to iron out some disputes, which they hope will happen by the end of the month. Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center closed at the end of August after Steward found no qualified bidders and the future of Norwood Hospital, which was under construction, remains unclear.
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, will leave the struggling company.
A spokesperson for Steward confirmed the news through a statement emailed to NewsCenter 5.
“Although Dr. De La Torre has parted amicably with Steward on mutually acceptable terms, he will continue to be a tireless advocate for improving reimbursement rates for underserved patients. Dr. De La Torre urges a continued focus on this mission and believes that the financial challenges That Steward faces highlights Massachusetts’ ongoing failure to reform the health care structure and inequities in the state’s system.
Before founding Steward with backing from Cerberus Capital Management, de la Torre was CEO of Boston-based Caritas Christi Health Care. He was also previously a cardiothoracic surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
The vote against De La Torre last week was the first time since 1971 that an individual has faced such charges by the Senate, enabling the Justice Department to take over the case and pursue a criminal prosecution. An affirmative vote could result in fines, criminal prosecution, and possible imprisonment.
Earlier this month, de la Torre missed 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 summoned in July, but has repeatedly issued statements saying he will not attend the hearing.
His lawyers sent a letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, citing 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 apparently designed as a means of violating Dr. De La Torre’s constitutional rights, including his Fifth Amendment rights,” the letter said. “If the Commission has any concern about hospitals affected by Steward’s bankruptcy proceedings, it will, consistent with Dr. de la Torre’s request to postpone the hearing for a more appropriate period, allow the bankruptcy resolution to move forward and focus its proceedings on addressing the legitimate issues.” Questions in the interest of Steward’s patients, hospitals and communities.”
Video below: De la Torre held in contempt of Congress
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, a committee member whose office recently released a report blaming the Steward crisis on “corporate greed,” has claimed that the company cares more about profits than patients.
His report claims that hospitals under Steward’s management were “ruined” in the pursuit of maximum profits, while patients suffered long waiting times in emergency situations, deteriorating facilities and high death rates.
Steward filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 6.
Gov. Maura Healey on Friday formally took over St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Boston via a prominent area to keep the hospital open.
Previously, a bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Steward’s six remaining hospitals in Massachusetts. The judge said Steward and the lenders still need to resolve some disputes, which they hope will be done by the end of the month.
Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center closed at the end of August after Steward found no qualified bidders.
The future of Norwood Hospital, which was under construction, remains unclear.
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