Markey Statement on Dismissal of Dr. Ralph de la Torre Lawsuit Against U.S. Senators

Washington (September 17, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, released the following statement after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that former Steward CEO Dr. Ralph de la Torre filed against members of the HELP Committee in September 2024 after the members voted to hold Dr. de la Torre in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena to appear in front of the committee.

"Ralph de la Torre must be held accountable for the harm he has done. The families who lost loved ones, the workers who lost jobs and retirement funds, and the communities still reeling from hospital closures all demand answers and accountability.

"The Senate, acting within its mandate, also demands answers. Dr. de la Torre sued U.S. Senators for doing their jobs and the court responded appropriately by dismissing his baseless lawsuit.

"I urge the Department of Justice to move swiftly on the Senate's criminal contempt referral. The Department's inaction sends a dangerous signal that powerful executives can evade accountability simply by ignoring congressional subpoenas.

"The American people are being failed by a system beholden to corporate greed and CEO profits. By pummeling Steward Health Care into bankruptcy off the backs of health care workers, families, and communities, de la Torre and his cronies abdicated their responsibility to the people they promised to serve. Dr. de la Torre continues to face no accountability, a Cerberus executive serves in the upper ranks of the Trump administration, and Medical Properties Trust continues to gouge rent from health providers.

"Steward Health Care is not an exception-it is an example. As Republicans in Congress focus on cutting Medicaid and propping up a sick care system that puts profits over patients, I am fighting for solutions. My Health Over Wealth Act would put the strongest guardrails on private equity in health care. Our communities deserve better."

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