Health Care — Steward bankruptcy Senate hearing to go forward

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View Online Health Care Health Care The Big Story  Sanders: Steward bankruptcy Senate hearing will go forward  The hearing will go forward next Thursday even if the CEO defies a congressional subpoena to testify, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Friday.  © The Hill, Greg Nash The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee "will hear from patients, medical professionals, and community members whose lives have been impacted" by Ralph de la Torre, Sanders said in a statement.    The committee in July issued a subpoena to compel de la Torre to testify about the failure of Steward Health Care. Steward filed for bankruptcy in May and has been trying to sell all 30 of its hospitals across eight states.     A federal judge earlier this week approved the sale of six of the system's hospitals in Massachusetts, but two others closed after no buyers were found. The approval marks the end of the saga in Massachusetts, which threatened access to hospital care for patients in the state.    Democrats and other critics said the case of Steward and de la Torre is a prime example about the dangers of private equity involvement in health care.    De la Torre this week told senators he won't testify until bankruptcy proceedings are resolved, drawing bipartisan ire and calls to hold him in contempt of Congress.    "Dr. de la Torre will be held accountable for his greed and the damage he has caused the American people and our nation's health care system," Sanders said. "Is it my hope that Dr. de la Torre will do the right thing, change his mind, and join our hearing to provide testimony? Yes. But let me be clear: With or without him, this hearing is going forward."    De la Torre also refused invitations to testify at a Boston field hearing earlier this year.  Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel, Joseph Choi and Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Florida state health agency comes out against abortion ballot amendment The Florida state agency in charge of running its Medicaid program as well as licensing and regulating health providers is publicly targeting a ballot measure that would restore and codify abortion rights in the state, a move that critics say is a blatant violation of state law.  A website launched by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) on Thursday openly blasted Amendment 4, which would enshrine abortion …  Full Story Alarm grows over possible RFK Jr. role at HHS if Trump wins The possibility of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. becoming Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary if former President Trump wins has rankled Democrats and the public health community as he gains influence within the former president's transition team.  Speculation about Kennedy's future role has grown after Nicole Shanahan, who was Kennedy's running mate before he suspended his campaign last month, said recently that he would …  Full Story Majority of Florida voters back abortion rights ballot measure: Poll A majority of Florida voters say they back a ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights into the state's constitution, according to new polling released Friday by The Hill and Emerson College Polling.   Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read: Newsom proposes emergency rules to protect kids from harmful hemp products California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) issued a proposal Friday for emergency regulations to ban THC-containing hemp products, in a bid to protect children from potentially toxic effects. Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: Legionnaire's disease outbreak kills 3 in New York assisted living facility (ABC News)  Tensions rising at D.C. community health center as more staff leave (The Washington Post)  Rural North Carolina pharmacies struggle to stay open (North Carolina Health News)  The Hill event Boosting the Status Quo: Vaccinating America's Most Vulnerable | Sept. 17 in Washington, D.C., 7:45 am- 10:15 am EDT | In person & streaming nationally    Join The Hill as we convene leaders in Congress, the administration, health care and patient advocacy to discuss the merits and challenges of the ECAPS bill, effectiveness of vaccination programs and address the challenges of patient access and the broader long-term care pharmacy market.  Click here to RSVP What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: A 'miracle molecule' could cut fentanyl deaths in half—or lead more into addiction (Politico)  Light pollution at night might increase risk of Alzheimer's, study finds (The Guardian)  U.S. prepares for possible arrival of more severe strain of mpox (NBC News)  What Others are Reading  Most read stories on The Hill right now: New poll shows Florida, Texas within margin of error in Harris-Trump race Florida and Texas are within the margin of error in the presidential race between former President Trump and Vice President Harris, according to a … Read more Dick Cheney to back Harris for president  Former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney, who served with former President George W. Bush, said Friday that he will support Vice President Harris … Read more   You're all caught up. See you next week!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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