Mike Collins: “Today I rise in support of H.R. 3016, the Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act. I want to…”

“Today I rise in support of H.R. 3016, the Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act. I want to thank the chairman for yielding and his leadership. As we have heard today, this is something that truly does bring us together. As someone who continues to serve in the Air Force and looking at my brothers and sisters in arms, this is something we should be about. I want to thank my colleague from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup) for bringing this important legislation to the floor, including language from my legislation, H.R. 423, concerning VA post-delivery care services. I also want to thank Dr. Roe from Tennessee for his amendment that would extend the coverage for a female veteran's post-delivery care to 42 days. Female veterans face unique challenges, especially when many of the services available to them are designed for males. One of the most significant problems female veterans face is access to health care. Currently, the VA is authorized to provide up to 7 days of post- delivery care for a female veteran's newborn baby. Mr. Roe's amendment will expand coverage to 42 days, the length that the VA currently provides for mothers. Females represent the fastest growing group of veterans who are enrolling in VA health care, and many of them are mothers or soon will be. It is past time for the VA to expand its care and services to meet the needs of the female veteran.…”