Should Veterans Have Access to Free Child Care While They’re at VA Healthcare Appointments? (H.R. 840)

What is H.R. 840?

(Updated May 31, 2020)

This bill would require the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide child care assistance to eligible veterans when they’re receiving care at a VA healthcare facility. An existing pilot program to that effect would be made permanent and expanded, and the assistance could be provided in the following forms: a stipend (either direct or through a voucher); direct provision of child care at a VA facility; a payment made to a private child care agency; a collaboration with a facility or program of another federal agency; or to provide or assistance considered appropriate by the VA.

Argument in favor

Veterans receiving care at a VA facility should have access to subsidized child care while they do so, whether that’s through on-site child care at the VA healthcare, a payment to a private child care agency, or a collaborative child care arrangement with another federal agency.

Argument opposed

The VA faces enough challenges in trying to provide quality healthcare services to our nation’s veterans and while well-intended, requiring the agency to finance child care for veterans receiving treatment could detract from that mission.

Impact

Veterans and their children; child care providers; and VA healthcare facilities.

Cost of H.R. 840

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) introduced this bill to ensure that veterans have access to cost free child care when they’re attending VA medical appointments.

“The lack of affordable and convenient child care should never be a barrier for veterans trying to access the VA healthcare they’ve earned and deserve. This is especially important for the growing population of women veterans, who are more often taking care of young children. I look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Higgins and all of our colleagues to see this important program finally become permanent and nationwide.”

This legislation has the support of four cosponsors in the House, all of whom are Democrats. Several veterans organizations have endorsed this bill, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, Easterseals, and the Fleet Reserve Association. In the last Congress a similar version of this bill passed the GOP-controlled House on a voice vote.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) Press Release

• Whypapers

Summary by Eric Revell