Senate holds Ralph de la Torre in contempt for failing to comply with subpoena

The contempt charge stems from de la Torre’s refusal to testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) regarding allegations that his leadership oversaw severe financial mismanagement at Steward hospitals, leading to dire conditions for patients and staff. Senator Bernie Sanders, who chairs the HELP committee, emphasized the need for accountability, particularly in light of reports that at least 15 patients died due to inadequate medical resources and staffing shortages. Despite initially agreeing to testify, de la Torre withdrew, claiming a court order related to Steward’s bankruptcy prevented him from discussing certain topics, a stance the committee rejected. The situation has sparked significant outrage among lawmakers, particularly in Massachusetts, where local officials express concern over the impact of Steward’s collapse on healthcare access.