Business
Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre has overseen a network of about 30 hospitals around the country.
The seat reserved for Steward Health Care Systems CEO Ralph de la Torre is empty after de la Torre failed to show up and testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing to review the bankruptcy of Steward Health Care on Thursday, September 12 , 2024 on Capitol Hill in Washington. AP Photo/Kevin Wolf
BOSTON (AP) — The CEO of a hospital operator that filed for bankruptcy protection in May will resign after failing to testify before a U.S. Senate panel.
Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre has supervised a network of around 30 hospitals around the country. The Texas-based company’s troubled recent history have drawn review by elected officials in New England, where some of its hospitals are located.
A spokesperson for de la Torre said Saturday that he “has amicably parted ways with Steward on mutually agreeable terms” and “will continue to be a tireless advocate for improving reimbursement levels for the underprivileged patient population.”
Vermont’s U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said earlier this month that Congress “will hold Dr. de la Torre accountable for his greed and for the harm he has caused hospitals and patients across America.”
De la Torre’s resignation is effective October 1. The Senate approved a resolution on Wednesday intended to hold him in criminal contempt for failing to testify before a committee.
The Senate panel has investigated Steward’s bankruptcy. De la Torre did not appear before it despite issuing a summons. The resolution refers the case to a federal prosecutor.