News Update:
Healthcare Debate Rages on
By Dr. Mark Lutschaunig, Director of the GRD
The dog days of summer are over, and Congress is set to return from their August recess on September 8. It has been a controversial summer for our elected officials, as witnessed at the many raucous Town Hall meetings throughout the country. Healthcare reform has energized both sides of the debate, resulting in an increase in the number of citizen activists. This is how our democratic process should work. It is an example of the potential for excitement boiling around any issue, especially our own, once our profession becomes more involved in the political process.
The House of Representatives left in August with versions of healthcare reform from three different House committees. Once these three versions are combined, the Democratic leadership will take the bill to the full House, where a rigorous debate will occur. If the Democratic leadership keeps their members in line, the bill will pass easily. However, this is a big "if," as an internal fight between... More »
Featured Articles:
Senate Requests GAO Study on Horse Welfare
By Dr. Angela Demaree, Assistant Director of the GRD
Further characterization of the current situation facing many horses across the Country, including abandonment, abuse, and neglect, may be little more than a signature away... the President's, that is. The Senate passed its version of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY2010 (H.R. 2997) on August 4, just before adjourning for August Recess. The AVMA is supportive of the proposed GAO study on horse welfare contained in the Senate Appropriations Committee Report.
The House passed its version of the Agriculture Appropriations bill on July 9, also H.R. 2997. Both bills have the same number since the Senate decided to take action on the House-passed version—differences will be reconciled through a Conference Committee comprised of members from both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The Conference Committee is expected to meet this week, following the return from Congressional recess. More »
AVMA Releases Response to Pew Report
By Dr. Ashley Shelton, Assistant Director of the GRD
Last month, The AVMA released its response to the Final Report of the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production. Pew's widely publicized findings and recommendations are being used to advocate for the passage of H.R. 1549 and S. 619, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA), which the AVMA does not support. Veterinarians are the only health professionals that routinely operate at the interface of human and animal health and are already limited in the tools available to protect human and animal health.
In reviewing the April 2008 Pew Report, the AVMA identified points addressing antimicrobial resistance, the environment and animal welfare as the most pertinent to veterinary medicine. While the Association believes there is value in some of the recommendations offered by the Pew Commission, the Commission's sub-points have significant shortfalls and lack in comprehensive idea... More »
Regulatory Update:
Animal Carcass Risk in Disasters Discussed at Symposium
By Dr. Kristi Henderson, Assistant Director of the Scientific Activities Division
Animal Carcass Risk in Natural Disasters is a new AVMA policy that was initiated and developed by the AVMA's Committee on Disaster and Emergency Issues (CDEI) in efforts to dispel public misconceptions concerning the carcasses of animals that have died from injuries, such as those suffered during natural disasters. In April, the Executive Board approved and enacted the new policy, which supports the world public health community's position.
Referenced by the policy is the Pan American Health Organization's Manual on Management of Dead Bodies in Disaster Situations. The manual is considered to be the definitive resource document on this subject by the world public health community, including the World Health Organization and U. S. Centers for Disease Control and... More »
Opportunities:
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.
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.
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