Sen. Ron Johnson subpoenas VA inspector general for Tomah documents

MADISON (AP) — U.S. Senator Ron Johnson says he has subpoenaed the Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of the Inspector General for information on an embattled medical center in Tomah.

Johnson said in a statement Thursday he sent for the documents on behalf of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as it investigates reports of opiate overprescribing and retaliatory behavior at the hospital.

The facility is at the center of multiple probes. The VA, the VA Office of the Inspector General and the Drug Enforcement Administration have investigations in effect.

The VA in March reported that patients at the hospital were more likely than those at other hospitals to receive high doses of painkillers. The report also said there was an atmosphere of fear among staff that affected patient care.