News Update:
Veterinarian Services Investment Act Introduced in Congress
By Gina Luke, Assistant Director of the GRD
The Veterinarian Services Investment Act, (H.R. 3519), which will help states address their most pressing veterinary workforce needs, was introduced on July 31 in the U.S. House of Representatives by congressmen Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Leonard Boswell (D-IA). The bill was referred to the Agriculture Committee. A companion bill to H.R. 3519 will be introduced in September in the U.S. Senate and will be sponsored by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and... More »
Red Flags Enforcement Delayed Until November 1, 2009
By Gina Luke, Assistant Director of the GRD
On June 29, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it would delay the enforcement of the Red Flags Rule, pushing back the date from August 1 until November 1, 2009. The delay in enforcement is due to pressure placed on the FTC by elected officials in both chambers of Congress, and specific pressure from members with seats in the House Committees on Financial Services, Small Business and Appropriations. Most notably, the FY 2010 appropriations bill included language that would further stay the enforcement of Red Flags... More »
Featured Articles:
The Healthcare Debate: Good Medicine or a Prescription for Disaster?
By Dr. Mark Lutschaunig, Director of the GRD
The hottest topic in DC right now is the healthcare reform debate. President Obama, Republicans and Democrats have all staked out their positions, and the House and Senate have produced legislation that is slowly making its way through committees in the respective... More »
Food Safety Debates Continue on Capitol Hill
By Dr. Ashley Shelton, Assistant Director of the GRD
Conversations, debates and legislation on food safety continue to dominate many corners of Capitol Hill. H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, was passed by a vote of 283-142. H.R. 2749 seeks to amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to improve the safety of food in the global market, and for other purposes. The bill increases the authority of the FDA. While the AVMA does not currently have a position on H.R. 2749, the Association does have... More »
Regulations Published for Federal Loan Repayment Program
By Gina Luke, Assistant Director of the GRD
At long last, interim final rule to implement the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), which was authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Service Act (PL 108-161), was published in the July 9 Federal Register. The final rule is required so that the Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) may begin the process of designating geographic and practice areas experiencing a shortage of food supply veterinarians and to begin application process to award loan repayment to eligible veterinarians.
Only geographic and practice areas officially recognized by CSREES will be eligible to receive a veterinarian through the loan repayment program. Animal health officials in each state will be asked to submit... More »
VMAT Ready to Deploy During Hurricane Season
By Dr. Heather Case, Assistant Director of the Scientific Activities Division
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted a "near normal Hurricane Season" for 2009. Hurricane Season officially began on June 1, and the onset of the season is a great time to make sure you have your emergency preparedness and evacuation plan ready, for you, your clinic and clients and your household—including your animals.
Aside from hurricanes, other threats include tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and wildfires. Perhaps the most likely and highly devastating threat for the general public is that of a house fire. More »
Regulatory Update:
Update on EPA Survey on Pharmaceutical Disposal
By Dr. Angela Demaree, Assistant Director of the GRD
Environmental issues, including medical and pharmaceutical waste disposal, continue to remain a top priority for the Obama administration. The AVMA Governmental Relations Division, in coordination with the Scientific Activities and Membership and Field Services Divisions, continues to work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on issues impacting veterinarians, veterinary business owners and practice managers such as medical and pharmaceutical waste... More »
Opportunities:
AVMAPAC Competition Results Announced
The results of the AVMA's Political Action Committee's (AVMAPAC) 2008-2009 fundraising campaign were announced at the AVMA Convention last month in Seattle. The contest pitted states and schools against each other, in a battle to see which alumni contributed the most money to AVMAPAC. Victorious states and schools won $1000 contributions to their scholarship funds. And this year's winners were... More »
Join us on Facebook
Join the hundreds of supporters of the Congressional Advocacy Network (AVMA-CAN) – including hundreds of people not affiliated with the veterinary profession – on the popular social networking site Facebook! The AVMA-CAN Facebook page is open to all Facebook users, so we encourage you, your family and friends to join our group to help advance the profession of veterinary medicine. Find AVMA-CAN's Facebook page here.
GRD Externships Application Deadline October 2
The AVMA is currently accepting applications for ten 2010 Governmental Relations Externships. The deadline for submission is October 2. In just four weeks as an Extern, you'll go from being a bright-eyed visitor to our nation's capital to actually lobbying for your future profession with legislators and staffers on Capitol Hill. For more information and an application, click here.
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