We, the undersigned, call on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement and expand to ensure veterans can access the healthcare they have earned. Many veterans—especially working parents, single parents, and those with disabilities—face challenges securing childcare while attending medical or mental health appointments. This common but preventable issue leads to missed care, increased healthcare costs, and unnecessary strain on VA resources. 
 
This is not a matter of convenience—it’s about ensuring veterans can focus on their health without unnecessary obstacles. By removing this barrier, we can provide better healthcare outcomes, more efficient use of VA resources, and greater accountability in veteran care. 
 
The Problem & Why Action Is Needed 
 
1. VA Has Taken Steps Toward Childcare Assistance, But It’s Not Enough 
• For veterans, the VA Child Care Pilot Program, established after the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, offered free, on-site childcare at select VA medical centers. However, this pilot program concluded in 2022, and as of now, there isn’t a nationwide VA childcare program for veterans.  
• The VA is currently considering re-establishing childcare services at select locations through the Veterans Child Care Assistance Program (VCAP), but eligibility remains unclear, and there is no timeline for broader availability. (Federal Register Notice, 2024) 
• Public comments on the program closed in October 2024, with no recent updates on next steps or broader implementation. 
 
2. Veterans Are Forced to Choose Between Their Health & Their Children 
• More than 2.5 million veterans under age 60 are raising children, many as single parents or primary caregivers. (Smucker et al., 2024) 
• Without childcare options, these veterans delay or forgo care, leading to worsened health and higher long-term costs to the VA system. 
 
3. Missed Appointments Waste Taxpayer Dollars & Strain VA Resources 
• Over 10% of VA primary care appointments are canceled or no-showed each year, often due to logistical issues like childcare. (Rose et al., 2025) 
• Every missed appointment means wasted resources, lost efficiency, and increased strain on an already burdened system. (Helfand & Gordon, 2014) 
 
4. Bringing Children to Appointments Creates Additional Challenges 
Many veterans who cannot find childcare still attend appointments by bringing their children with them (when permitted), which: 
• Creates distractions for both the veteran and provider. 
• Shortens or reduces the effectiveness of the appointment. 
• Strains medical staff and disrupts other veterans in shared waiting areas. 
 
The Solution: A Nationwide, Accountable, & Accessible Childcare Program 
 
We propose that the VA not only re-establish childcare assistance but also expand it nationwide with availability for all veterans with dependent children during the duration of any appointment. This initiative should be: 
 
• No-cost to veterans while attending VA healthcare appointments. 
• Available at all VA medical centers, not just select locations. 
• Guaranteed to all veterans with dependent children during their appointment. 
• Fully funded through existing VA efficiency initiatives, reducing long-term costs. 
• Structured through public, private, and volunteer partnerships with a focus on veterans and veteran-owned businesses to maximize efficiency and support for the veteran community. 
• Continuous and meaningful steps towards nationwide implementation, with clear action plans and measurable progress to ensure the program’s success. 
 
Call to Action 
 
We call on VA leadership, lawmakers, and policymakers to: 
1. Take immediate and meaningful steps to implement the Veterans Child Care Assistance Program (VCAP) nationwide. 
2. Ensure childcare availability for all veterans with dependent children during any VA appointment. 
3. Expand the program across all VA medical centers, making no-cost childcare a standard service. 
 
Veterans have already served and sacrificed for this country. They should not have to face unnecessary obstacles when seeking the care they earned. Implementing this program will improve health outcomes, VA efficiency, and overall veteran quality of life—all while reducing unnecessary costs. 
 
We, the undersigned, support this initiative and call on our leaders to take action now.