An article from 
Tracking Steward’s decline
“If you defy a congressional subpoena, you will be held accountable, no matter who you are or how well connected you may be,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday.
On Thursday, a powerful Senate committee voted unanimously to advance two resolutions holding Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre in contempt for refusing to testify before the committee last week.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee subpoenaed the executive in July, seeking answers for de la Torre’s role in Steward’s financial collapse and Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
De la Torre was initially set to attend a hearing Sept. 12. However, in the week prior he sent word via his attorneys that he would not appear as scheduled, saying it was inappropriate to do so prior to the conclusion of federal bankruptcy proceedings.
Despite warnings from lawmakers, de la Torre doubled down on his decision to defy the subpoena. On Wednesday, his attorneys sent another letter to Congress attempting to invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, as reported by The Hill.
Senators did not buy the executive’s argument. All committee members who voted on Thursday expressed support to move the contempt resolutions forward for a full Senate review, advancing the measures in a 20-0 vote.
The Senate will consider whether to adopt the measures — civil enforcement, which instructs Senate Legal Counsel to bring a civil suit against de la Torre in the District Court for the District of Columbia; or a criminal contempt resolution, which would refer the matter to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for criminal prosecution.
“If you defy a congressional subpoena, you will be held accountable — no matter who you are or how well connected you may be,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I.-Vt., during Thursday’s hearing.
De la Torre has faced significant criticism for his role in Steward’s financial collapse. Lawmakers say the American people deserve answers for how the CEO raked in over $250 million in compensation over the past four years while the health system closed eight hospitals, at least 15 patients died due to a lack of proper medical supplies and thousands of other patients were allegedly placed at risk, according to senators’ testimony on Thursday.
Steward, which de la Torre has run since its inception in 2010, currently owes billions to its creditors. The health system has been racing the clock this summer to sell off its hospitals prior to running out of cash, otherwise it might have had to close even more facilities.
Steward inked a deal roughly one week ago that should allow most of its hospitals to keep their doors open. However, the agreement is still subject to final approvals.
Paul Schmeltzer 
Rebecca Pifer