Julia Brownley: “I thank the gentleman from Minnesota, our ranking member, and the gentleman from Tennessee, our chairman, for their…”

“I thank the gentleman from Minnesota, our ranking member, and the gentleman from Tennessee, our chairman, for their support of this bill and for their tireless advocacy on behalf of our Nation's veterans. I rise today in support of H.R. 95, the Veterans' Access to Child Care Act, which will break down a barrier to care many veterans with children face. This is especially problematic for women veterans, who are often the primary caretakers of young children and a rapidly growing segment of the veteran population. According to a 2015 VA study, 42 percent of women who use the VA said it is difficult to find childcare that would allow them to attend medical appointments, and for those who can, that care is often unaffordable. The average cost of childcare in my home State of California, for instance, is more than $13,000 a year. As the post-9/11 generation continue to start their families, more and more veterans will face the unacceptable choice between caring for their children and getting the healthcare they need. Without affordable childcare options, veterans can miss their appointments, including critical mental health appointments, that impact their long-term well-being. It is just common sense: better access to childcare will lead to better access to care, which will ultimately result in better outcomes for our Nation's veterans.…”