AVMA Promotes VMLRP Enhancement Act

November 1, 2017 — 

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) continues to highlight the positive role the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) plays in meeting demand for livestock services and public practice needs in federally designated shortage situations.

Each spring State Veterinarians assess needs in their states and nominate shortage situations for federal designation. Once that process is complete then USDA opens an application cycle wherein veterinarians apply to fill specific slots. Each year, by September 30, USDA extends award offers to veterinarians selected through a competitive review process.

Congress has appropriated a modest amount for VMLRP in the Agriculture bill each year since 2006. In FY18, AVMA expects another $6.5 million bringing the grand total to $51.5 million. Also, the association pushed congress to pass legislation exempting VMLRP awards from 39% withholding taxes. Unfortunately, too few lawmakers have cosponsored the VMLRP Enhancement Act (H.R. 1268 / S. 487).

This has prompted the AVMA to intensify advocacy efforts with an initial push in Texas and Iowa. Later this week AVMA will release brief radio spots in Iowa and Texas featuring AVMA president Dr. Mike Topper in support of the VMLRP Enhancement Act. In advance, AVMA wanted to give you a chance to listen to the spots so you are aware of them: Iowa Spot and Texas Spot. Also, in the coming weeks, AVMA may do a related Iowa and Texas focused op-eds and additional radio interviews, as part of the association's ongoing work to sway the delegations to support the legislation.