Most of Louisiana congressional delegation aims to get VA hospital director fired

NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana's congressional delegation — with the exception of U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy — has issued a strongly worded letter opposing the appointment of an embattled official to oversee veterans' hospitals in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma.

The delegation asked Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald to rescind the appointment of Skye McDougall, and even called her assignment "an insult to Louisiana veterans."

McDougall has come under fire for testimony she made before Congress last year. Her critics allege she testified that wait times at VA facilities she oversaw in southern California averaged four days, when in fact they say they were at least 10 times longer.

VA officials did not immediately comment.

Cassidy didn't sign the letter. A spokeswoman said the senator was hopeful McDougall would improve the VA system.

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