Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia has requested a congressional hearing in Atlanta to address troubles at the Atlanta VA Medical Center.

Isakson serves on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and wrote a letter to committee leaders Tuesday requesting the hearing to follow up on a pair of audits in April that cited mismanagement in three deaths of mental health patients.

“It is imperative that the Committee follows up with the VA in a public forum to address the problems at the Atlanta VA Medical Center and any progress the VA has made in improving the mental health care provided in all of their facilities,” Isakson said.

The hospital’s new director, Leslie Wiggins, started the job last month and said she would begin with a 30-day review of reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ inspector general to determine what changes are needed.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Chris Van Beneden, left, who worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 25 years, and Julie Edelson, who worked there for 10, protest in support of the CDC in front of its Atlanta headquarters on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, after layoffs were announced. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)

Credit: AP

Featured

People join a rally in support for U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees on Tuesday afternoon, April 1, 2025, at the Atlanta headquarters after federal cuts triggered significant layoffs. (Photo: Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Jenni Girtman