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 displaced residents. Through the RCI, we are committing over $1.8 billion and reinvesting another $1 billion to improve residential housing. Additionally, the Army is projected to invest over $10 billion in the next 10 years, in both Restoration & Modernization and Military Construction funds, which will renovate or replace more than 1,200 barracks for all components and eliminate sub-standard barracks.

Healthcare. Army Medicine is partnering with the Defense Health Agency to deliver the best care for our beneficiaries across our installations. We are focusing on readiness as the Military Health System reforms. We will emphasize operationally oriented training, modernized capabilities, and innovative operational concepts. We are grateful to Congress for increases in Health Professional Officer special pay caps. This necessary investment ensures Army Medicine can recruit and retain the best quality healthcare professionals for the sustainability of the force.

Childcare. Childcare professionals serve on the front line of the Army’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as they allow mission essential personnel to maintain Army readiness. The Army has a multi-pronged strategy to maintain, and in some cases, increase access to care. With continued Congressional support, we plan to build 21 additional Child Development Centers by FY30, adding approximately 4,000 spaces. We appreciate Congressional support for the three centers funded in FY21, two in Hawaii and one in Alaska. We continue to invest in these professionals, adjusting compensation to recruit and retain quality staff. We are incentivizing the family child care program, like a $1,000 bonus for new providers and for families that stay in the program after a move. We implemented revised DoD priorities for childcare to grant more access to military families. Finally, we continue to invest in fee assistance to buy down the cost of off-post care when on-post care is unavailable.

Spouse Employment. With the support of Congress, the Army continues to make improvements in spouse employment. The Army reimburses up to $1,000 for professional licensing and certification in a new state, with Army Emergency Relief offering an additional $2,500. We thank Congress for its efforts to bolster the support of individual states in granting reciprocity. We streamlined the Home-Based Business application and approval system, improved policies for military spouse hiring