House passes Collins' bill to expand health care access for veterans' newborns

Statement

Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 3224, the Deborah Sampson Act, which includes the Newborn Care Improvement Act.

"Women serving in the armed forces put their lives on the line to defend our freedom, and the very least we can do is ensure these service members and their newborns receive the medical care they have earned," said Collins. "I'm proud the House passed this critical legislation to ease the burden on new mothers receiving care from the VA, and I encourage the Senate to do the same."

Collins introduced the Newborn Care Improvement Act in May 2019 to extend the amount of time female veterans' newborns are eligible to receive medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from 7 days to 14 days.

The state of Georgia has the fifth highest number of female veterans, and the Atlanta VA serves more female veterans than any other VA nationwide.

Collins first introduced the Newborn Care Improvement Act during the 114th Congress and reintroduced this legislation in the 115th Congress.

Senators Tillis (R-N.C.) and Klobuchar (D-M.N.) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

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