Senate Panel Votes to Subpoena Steward Health CEO

A Senate committee has authorized an investigation into the bankruptcy of Steward Health Care and voted to subpoena its CEO, Dr. Ralph de la Torre. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, chaired by Senator Bernie Sanders, voted 16-4 to issue the subpoena, requiring Dr. de la Torre to testify before the committee on September 12.

Investigation Aimed at Corporate Greed

The investigation is aimed at examining Steward Health Care’s financial arrangements and potential corporate greed. Senator Sanders described Dr. de la Torre as “the poster child for outrageous corporate greed” in the healthcare system. The committee’s action follows Dr. de la Torre’s refusal to testify voluntarily in April and June.

Bankruptcy Filing and Criticism

Steward Health Care, a Dallas-based company, filed for bankruptcy protection in May with $9 billion in debt. The company plans to sell off all its hospitals, citing a “highly challenging healthcare environment.” Senator Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, criticized Steward’s practices, saying they prioritize corporate interests over patient safety and community well-being.

Legislative Efforts and Broader Implications

The subpoena is part of a broader effort to regulate financial transactions in the healthcare sector. Senators Markey and Pramila Jayapal introduced legislation aimed at preventing similar corporate abuses. The investigation and subpoena are also seen as a response to concerns about private equity firms’ role in healthcare, with Senator Sanders arguing that they are “looting” hospitals for profit.

Steward Health Care’s Hospital Network

Dallas, Texas-based Steward Health Care filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 6. Steward is the largest private, for-profit health system in the U.S., operating 31 hospitals in eight states. Here is the list of Steward Health Care’s hospitals according to their website:

Arizona (4)

Florence Hospital
Mountain Vista Medical Center (Mesa)
St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center (Phoenix)
Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital
Arkansas (1)

Wadley Regional Medical Center at Hope
Florida (8)

Coral Gables Hospital
Florida Medical Center (Lauderdale Lakes)
Hialeah Hospital
Melbourne Regional Medical Center
North Shore Medical Center (Miami)
Palmetto General Hospital (Hialeah)
Rockledge Regional Medical Center
Sebastian River Medical Center
Louisiana (1)

Glenwood Regional Medical Center (West Monroe)
Massachusetts (9)

Carney Hospital (Dorchester)
Good Samaritan Medical Center (Brockton)
Holy Family Hospital – Haverhill
Holy Family Hospital – Methuen
Morton Hospital (Taunton)
Nashoba Valley Medical Center (Ayer)
Norwood Hospital
Saint Anne’s Hospital (Fall River)
St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center (Brighton)
Ohio (2)

Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital (Warren)
Trumbull Regional Medical Center (Warren)
Pennsylvania (1)

Sharon Regional
Texas (5)

Medical Center SE Texas – Port Arthur
Odessa Regional Medical Center
Scenic Mountain Medical Center (Big Spring)
St. Joseph Medical Center (Houston)
Wadley Regional Medical Center (Texarkana)