Mark Takano: “I thank the gentlewoman from Wisconsin for yielding. I support this more amendment because we need to know how many…”

“I thank the gentlewoman from Wisconsin for yielding. I support this more amendment because we need to know how many veterans and children are eligible for no-cost childcare versus how many veterans and children are participating in this program. Each region and medical facility should know how many veterans and children are eligible, and this report asks for VA to report this data in the President's budget submission to Congress so we can ensure VA is accurately reporting the resources it needs to make this a successful program. Every 2 years, the VA would also be required to report other challenges and barriers veterans face, apart from childcare services that prevent veterans from receiving their healthcare at VA. This report is also key to ensuring VA conducts the outreach and notifications to eligible veterans that would be required if this bill passes into law. This bill will require VA to assess whether lack of outreach by VA, or lack of awareness by veterans of this no-cost childcare program is a reason for lower participation. This report would hold VA accountable for not doing everything it can to make this benefit available for the veterans who need it. I support this amendment.”