Veterinarians will visit Capitol Hill next Tuesday to discuss legislative priorities with lawmakers. As part of the American Veterinary Medical Association‘s (AMVA) annual legislative fly-in, advocates will urge congressional offices to support and cosponsor the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act.
AVMA President Dr. Rena Carlson says, “We need to do more to attract and retain veterinarians in rural and underserved areas, and the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act will go a long way to address those needs,”
The AVMA-endorsed Rural Veterinary Workforce Act would end federal taxation on the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. This action would enable more veterinarians to participate in a program that offers up to $25,000 a year for student loan repayment in exchange for service in Department of Agriculture-designated Veterinarian Shortage Situations.
AVMA is also seeking support for the Healthy Dog Importation Act within the next Farm Bill, which the group says would decrease the chances of future disease outbreaks from imported dogs.
(From the National Association of Farm Broadcasters)