Mark Takano: “We have the data to show how access to healthcare services improves and saves lives, but I think it is important that we…”

“We have the data to show how access to healthcare services improves and saves lives, but I think it is important that we also hear from the veterans and the providers whose lives have been improved by this program. I would like to share another story from a childcare staffer in Buffalo, New York. ``Buffalo also has a World War II veteran, now 97 years old, who cares for his great-granddaughter. He heard of the service, stopped in to see the facility and ask questions to verify he felt `safe' in leaving her in their care. As primary caretaker for this child, he is so pleased to be able to attend his appointments at his `elderly age' and keep his family close.'' Let me also add, I want to address the reservation, although the ranking member has stated his general support for the bill, but this reservation about the legislation, H.R. 840, lacking a pay-for that was included in last session's legislation, and the pay-for that they said was necessary this time around. I want to state that H.R. 840 simply makes permanent a program that we, as a Congress, have reauthorized six times since 2013. For none of those six times was the issue of a pay-for really germane. In fact, the CBO has never required that we do it. The pay-for that the gentleman keeps speaking of will not pay for this program.…”