Higgins announces House passage of bill keeping Kids Korner open

VA child care center on track for continued service delivery

Congressman Brian Higgins announced approval in the House of Representatives of H.R. 5404, the Extending Veterans Expiring Authorities Act. This bill will provide $1.5 million in funding through December 2015 to continue child care services at Kids Korner, located at the VA Western NY Healthcare Center in Buffalo, and two other child care centers at VA locations in Tacoma, Washington, and Northport, New York.

"America's military personnel have placed their lives on the line for our freedom" Higgins said. "We owe it to them to continue funding for programs like Kids Korner, which makes it easier for veterans to schedule and keep necessary appointments. I am pleased with the bipartisan support for this important legislation."

In addition to funding for Kids Korner, H.R. 5404 extends coverage of nursing home care provided to veterans with service-connected disabilities of 70 percent or higher, and authorizes an additional $2 million toward a pilot program for counseling services at retreats for retired female veterans.

Higgins wrote to leaders of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee last week calling for continued funding of Kids Korner to be included in the fiscal year 2015 continuing resolution. He urged passage of H.R. 5404.

Funding for Kids Korner was originally authorized under the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.

The bipartisan Extending Veterans Expiring Authorities Act will now move to the Senate for approval and must be signed by President Obama.