The Marietta Daily Journal – Isakson Chambliss press for answers on Atlanta VA issues

ATLANTA — Georgia’s U.S. senators are asking for answers from the head of Veterans Affairs after an audit report outlined troubling problems at the Atlanta VA Medical Center.

Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss wrote to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, asking the VA to investigate problems with inpatient and contracted outpatient mental health care at the hospital.

An Inspector General audit in mid-April reported a patient in need of mental health care committed suicide and two others who needed care died of drug overdoses. The senators’ letter asks the agency to provide information on its progress in correcting the problems, to prevent the needs of other veterans from being overlooked in the future in Atlanta and at other facilities.

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) joined the Georgia Republicans in their inquiry, Lauren Culbertson, a spokeswoman for Isakson said in a release Thursday. Isakson is a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and Chambliss is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Burr is the ranking Republican on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

via The Marietta Daily Journal – Isakson Chambliss press for answers on Atlanta VA issues.