Mark Takano: “I thank Majority Leader Hoyer. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 748, the CARES Act. 571…”

“I thank Majority Leader Hoyer. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 748, the CARES Act. 571 veterans in the VA's healthcare system have tested positive for coronavirus. We have already lost nine veterans to this virus. Mr. Speaker, 120 veterans have been admitted to VA hospitals; 185 VA employees, including doctors and nurses providing lifesaving healthcare to veterans with coronavirus, have also been infected. Because of the lack of widespread testing due to supply chain challenges like low levels of reagents, shortages of swabs and testing kits, a dwindling supply of masks to protect healthcare workers, understaffed VA hospitals without providers to administer the tests, and a 2- to 7-day lag time for veterans to receive results, we know that the magnitude of this public health emergency and the number of veterans sickened by this deadly virus are underreported. It will only become more severe in the weeks to come. Providing nearly $20 billion to VA to combat this virus is vital. This funding will save veterans' lives, protect VA's healthcare providers and first responders, and give VA the resources it needs to serve as the Nation's backup healthcare system in communities where local hospitals are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients. Mr. Speaker, this relief package provides nearly $16 billion in funding for VA to provide healthcare to veterans, including the purchase of essential medical supplies like ventilators.…”