Westbank Louisiana News

On September 19, 2024, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to hold Steward Health Care CEO Dr. Ralph de la Torre in contempt for failing to comply with a congressional subpoena. The decision was unanimous, with resolutions for civil enforcement and criminal contempt approved by a vote of 20-0.

In a joint statement, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), ranking member of the HELP Committee, and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), chair of the HELP Committee, emphasized the importance of Dr. de la Torre's testimony. "The Committee sought testimony about the financial decisions made by Dr. de la Torre as CEO of Steward Health Care," they stated. "It is essential for our Committee to receive this testimony in order to understand the financial downfall of the company and to inform legislative action to prevent similar events from affecting the patients and communities we represent."

The senators expressed frustration over Dr. de la Torre's repeated refusals to appear before the committee. "If you defy a Congressional subpoena, you will be held accountable," they said.

Both resolutions now require approval from the full Senate. The civil enforcement resolution directs Senate Legal Counsel to file a lawsuit in District Court for the District of Columbia to compel Dr. de la Torre’s compliance with the subpoena and his testimony before the HELP Committee. The criminal contempt resolution would refer the matter to the U.S. Attorney for prosecution.

The controversy began in July when the HELP Committee issued a subpoena after Dr. de la Torre repeatedly refused to cooperate with an investigation into Steward Health Care's financial mismanagement.

Senator Cassidy highlighted significant issues during his remarks before the committee vote: "For months, this Committee has investigated Steward Health Care's bankruptcy and its impact on hospital care delivery." He noted that Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe, LA had been operating at one-third capacity due to management decisions resulting in limited resources.

Cassidy cited further testimonies revealing systemic problems across Steward hospitals: “Audra Sprague testified last week that because of understaffing at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston, patients waited hours or days for care.” He added that vendors were not paid for essential supplies at St. Elizabeth’s.

Highlighting broader community impacts, Cassidy mentioned Glenwood’s significance as West Monroe’s largest employer and detailed job losses following layoffs at Glenwood Hospital.

Dr. de la Torre initially indicated compliance with the subpoena but ultimately refused eight days before his scheduled appearance on September 4th.

"A witness cannot disregard and evade a duly authorized subpoena," Cassidy concluded while urging colleagues' support for holding Dr. de la Torre in contempt.