STAT+: Sutter Health CEO donates to Harris, whose investigation led to 2019 antitrust settlement

WASHINGTON — Sutter Health’s CEO gave nearly $50,000 to Vice President Harris’ presidential campaign this fall, despite the fact that Harris initiated an investigation more than a decade ago that ultimately led to a half-billion-dollar settlement for the hospital system.

The executive, Warner Thomas, also donated $41,300 to the Democratic National Committee on Sept. 30, which is working to elect Harris and other Democrats across the country. Thomas’ tenure at Sutter started in 2022, after the antitrust investigation and settlement.

It’s not necessarily unusual for a health care industry CEO to donate to a home-state politician — take Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks, who donated to former Vice President Pence’s ill-fated presidential campaign. 

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