Tell Your Senators to Support the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act

February 11, 2015 — 

The American Veterinary Medical Association is urging livestock veterinarians to tell their members of Congress to cosponsor S. 440, the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act of 2015.

This bipartisan legislation addresses the challenges ranchers and farmers in rural communities face in obtaining essential veterinary services for livestock medicine and public health. By exempting Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) awards from steep withholding taxes, this bill will maximize the funding that Congress appropriates to the program, thereby increasing the number of veterinarians who can serve in shortage areas across America.

In the last five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has selected 286 veterinarians to practice in areas in need of veterinary services, but had this legislation been in effect, roughly 100 more veterinarians could have participated.

Ranchers and farmers depend on veterinarians to ensure herd health and protect our food supply. Tell your members of Congress to support this important legislation by cosponsoring this bill!