Veterans' Access to Child Care Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CISNEROS. 7, at the desk made in order by the rule.

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Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Chairman, I sincerely thank my colleague, Ms. Brownley, for her steadfast leadership on this critical issue, and Mr. Takano for working with me to ensure consideration. Finally, I would like to thank the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch) for cosponsoring this amendment.

I rise to offer an amendment, which would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study how the VA could provide childcare assistance for veterans who receive covered healthcare services furnished by the VA at non-Department facilities.

I am a strong supporter and cosponsor of H.R. 840 because I am committed to advancing policies that make it easier for all veterans to take advantage of their VA benefits they deserve.

As a veteran with two young twin boys, I know firsthand that rambunctious young kids can often derail the best of plans. Providing safe, affordable, and convenient childcare for veterans who are parents and grandparents eliminates just one of those many barriers to quality care our veterans can face when trying to make health and mental health appointments. I rise to offer this amendment to ensure that my constituents are not left behind in this noble effort.

Orange County, California, is home to the largest veteran population in the country, approximately 130,000 veterans, without its own VA hospital. This leaves many of my constituents without easy access to high-quality care our VA system provides.

My amendment would direct the VA to conduct a feasibility study to determine how the Department of Veterans Affairs could provide childcare assistance for veterans who receive healthcare services far from a VA medical center campus. This includes my constituents seeking care at the Anaheim community-based orthopedic clinic.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this amendment to ensure we do not overlook veterans who could benefit from childcare services.

Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee.

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Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano).

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Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Chairman, I just want to reiterate that this is a simple amendment to require a study by the VA within 1 year.

I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. CISNEROS. 8, at the desk made in order by the rule.

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Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Chairman, I want to quickly thank my colleague and chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Mr. Takano, for urging, in his testimony before the House Committee on Rules, that this amendment be made in order.

I rise to offer an amendment which would include ``intensive healthcare services related to physical therapy for a service-connected disability'' in the definition of ``covered healthcare service.''

Physical therapy is an important aspect of any human process and is often necessary for veterans suffering from sustained pain or discomfort from a service-connected disability. This experience can often involve lengthy commitments and long commutes to achieve results.

For my constituents, accessing physical therapy services at VA health clinics, receiving regular physical therapy means making a regular commitment to be stuck in traffic on the 405 to drive to the Long Beach VA hospital.

My amendment will ensure that veterans in need of physical therapy for a service-connected disability are specifically afforded access to childcare services.

VA benefits are not truly benefits if the costs associated with childcare during regular appointments place too large a burden on veteran caretakers.

Veterans and their families face many obstacles when transitioning back to civilian life, but access to healthcare should not be one of them. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee.

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Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano).

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Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Chairman, I just want to reiterate that this is a simple, commonsense amendment. I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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