Mark Takano: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. I support this amendment because it will allow Congress to receive the critical data…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. I support this amendment because it will allow Congress to receive the critical data and information it needs to determine how to expand this program and the feasibility of expanding this program to community-based outpatient clinics and VA centers, VA facilities that are away from the main VA medical center campuses but critical for veterans in rural areas to access their care. While this bill specifically provides the no-cost childcare benefit to veterans receiving care from the VA doctors, nurses, and VA providers, I would like to work with my colleagues on the committee at a future date on whether it may be feasible to provide no-cost childcare to veterans receiving treatment from community providers, or even look at ways we can provide incentives to community providers to offer no-cost childcare on-site when they contract with the VA to provide care to veterans. I thank the gentleman for offering this important amendment. I support it wholeheartedly, and I urge all my colleagues to do so as well.”