A Mississippi congressman says he's asking
federal authorities to investigate the G.V. Sonny Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Jackson.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson says he has sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

He says the hospital's management is in "disarray" and he's asking the groups to investigate reports of patient deaths, improper access to records and staffing shortages.

Hospital spokesman James Theres says the facility "remains committed to providing the best care anywhere" for veterans. He also says the hospital in 2011 was named one of the nation's top performers on quality measures by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.