NEEDHAM, Mass. – Dr. Ralph de la Torre, former CEO of Steward Health Care, has departed the company after being held in contempt of Congress for his refusal to testify regarding the company’s bankruptcy. A spokesperson for Steward confirmed his departure, indicating that de la Torre has left the company on amicable terms. Despite separating from Steward, de la Torre remains committed to advocating for better reimbursement rates for underserved patient populations. He expressed concerns about the financial difficulties faced by Steward, highlighting ongoing healthcare structural issues in Massachusetts.
De la Torre co-founded Steward Health Care with support from Cerberus Capital Management after serving as the CEO of Caritas Christi Health Care in Boston and working as a cardiac surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The recent contempt vote against de la Torre marks a significant event, as it is the first time since 1971 that an individual has faced such charges from the Senate, potentially leading to fines, prosecution, and jail time.
During a recent Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing related to Steward’s bankruptcy, de la Torre was notably absent after being subpoenaed in July. His attorneys invoked the Fifth Amendment, citing concerns about constitutional rights violations. Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey has criticized Steward Health Care for prioritizing profits over patient care, alleging that the company’s management led to negative outcomes for patients in terms of service quality and mortality rates.
Following Steward Health Care’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, efforts have been made to address the situation. Governor Maura Healey seized St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston through eminent domain to prevent its closure. Bankruptcy proceedings have seen the sale of several Steward hospitals in Massachusetts, with ongoing negotiations between the company and lenders to resolve remaining issues. Despite the closure of some facilities and uncertainties surrounding Norwood Hospital, steps are being taken to stabilize the healthcare situation in the state.