VA Secretary Says He Will Investigate Tomah Medical Center

MADISON, Wis. (AP) Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald says he will investigate a Tomah VA medical center that has come under scrutiny for overprescribing opiates.

McDonald says that the probe will look into allegations of overuse of opiates and retaliation against employees.

McDonald says the month-long investigation will begin this week. A 35-year-old former Marine died of an overdose in the hospital’s inpatient unit in August.

McDonald says inquiries from Rep. Ron Kind and Sen. Tammy Baldwin brought the issue to his attention. The Wisconsin Democrats wrote to McDonald last week.

Baldwin says in a column published Sunday in newspapers across the state that she took responsibility for not acting sooner in the matter. Baldwin says she should have listened and communicated better with a constituent.