PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 840, VETERANS' ACCESS TO CHILD CARE ACT; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF H. RES. 86, PROVIDING AMOUNTS FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS...
Joseph D. Morelle (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-2-7

on Wednesday, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 105, providing for consideration of H.R. 840, the Veterans' Access to Child Care Act, under a structured rule. prgtoken The rule provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. prgtoken The rule makes in order 21 amendments, each debatable for 10 minutes. The rule also provides for adoption of H. Res. 86, a resolution providing interim funding for our two new select committees. prgtoken Lastly, the rule provides suspension authority through next Friday, February 15. prgtoken , the Veterans' Access to Child Care Act would make permanent the VA's childcare pilot program, allowing more veterans to access cost-free childcare when they receive mental or other intensive healthcare treatment through the VA. prgtoken A nearly identical piece of legislation passed in the House last year under a majority with bipartisan cosponsors and without objection. It is my hope that this Congress will support these efforts to make it easier for our brave servicemembers to get the care they need while supporting their families. prgtoken Millions of working families across the Nation are struggling to afford the rising cost of childcare. Families in my own State of New York often pay upwards of $15,000 each year to place one child in a childcare center. Some parents may find themselves owing their entire salary each month to provision of daycare. This cost can be so debilitating that parents are being driven out of the workforce--many of them women. prgtoken For veterans, these struggles can be even more acute. Many veterans are primary caregivers to their children or even their grandchildren. These brave men and women rely on the VA for their healthcare, but many of them are forced to miss appointments or forgo treatment altogether because they prgtoken have no childcare options. For many, that can be devastating. We have seen the harm that can be done when military veterans do not receive high-quality mental health services. prgtoken This Nation is facing a crisis. Each day, 20 American veterans take their own life. Studies have shown that mental health disparities are a leading cause of high suicide rates among veterans who struggle with depression or post-traumatic stress. prgtoken The Department of Veterans Affairs has shown that the suicide rate has increased faster among those veterans who have not recently received treatment through the VA system. Addressing inadequate access to lifesaving mental health and intense health services is critical as we seek to reform our veterans' healthcare system, and we know that making care more accessible will save lives. prgtoken Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs operates a pilot program to provide cost-free childcare to help primary caregivers seeking mental health treatment at selected VA facilities a