[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 141 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H6313-H6314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       VA CHILDCARE PILOT PROGRAM

  (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, a Department of Veterans Affairs survey 
found that over 10 percent of our veterans had to cancel VA medical 
appointments due to lack of child care.
  Today, the House will consider H.R. 3596, which will extend the VA 
childcare pilot program that is scheduled to expire this year.
  This initiative has been a tremendous success in western New York. 
Last year, more than 1,300 children visited Kids Korner at the Buffalo 
VA Medical Center, helping hundreds of veterans keep their 
appointments. The

[[Page H6314]]

program has been especially useful in the treatment of post-traumatic 
stress disorder, which requires regular counseling and recurring 
follow-up appointments.
  While I am grateful that Kids Korner will be extended for another 
year, Congress should do more. I urge my colleagues to support 
legislation introduced by Congresswoman Julia Brownley to make the 
program permanent and allow VA hospitals across the country to 
establish similar programs for veterans that they serve. Making child 
care available to patients who need it is a cost-effective way to 
improve health outcomes for veterans to whom we owe so much.

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