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Charging Ahead in 2010 – Keep the Momentum Going!

Happy New Year from all of us at the AVMA-CAN. Members of the AVMA-CAN are a force to be reckoned with–we now have thousands of members throughout the United States, covering every state and spreading our advocacy messages to Congress.

Last year was a milestone year for AVMA-CAN, and this year will be even better. We challenge you to make it your 2010 resolution to take full advantage of your membership in our dynamic community: to stay in contact with Congress and to become a more active part of AVMA-CAN.

The AVMA made significant legislative progress in 2009, but there's plenty of work ahead in 2010. We continue to work toward the passage of the Veterinary Services Investment Act (VSIA) and to advance other key pieces of legislation. See the JAVMA News article reprinted in this month's Advocate for more details about our current legislative agenda.

Soon we will turn our attention to the FY11 budget process. Gina Luke, assistant director of government relations at AVMA, has been busy strategizing and leveraging resources on Capitol Hill so that the AVMA's appropriations priorities will be recognized in the budget. We will keep you posted as this process develops.

We also continue to work toward our legislative goals in the areas of food safety and in the small business arena. In case you missed the articles last month, make sure you get caught up on the "what's" and "how's" of food safety and health care legislation.

As always, we are extremely grateful for your help and commitment to advancing animal and human health. Because of your help, we had great success and growth last year. And with your continued help and support in 2010, you can bet that this year will be another one for the record books.

AVMA's Current Legislative Agenda

Regulatory Update

By Dr. Kristi Henderson, Assistant Director, Scientific Activities

During the Fall 2009 AVMA Executive Board meeting in Schaumburg, the board considered and approved a new policy developed by the Committee on Environmental Issues (CEI) titled "Appropriate Animal Carcass Disposal." In formulating the policy, the CEI recognized that increasingly complex and problematic issues relating to the disposal of animal carcasses are in critical need for resolutions. There is a great necessity nationwide, as well as internationally, for practical, safe and environmentally responsible options for the disposal of animal carcasses.

The policy states:

The AVMA advocates safe and environmentally responsible disposal of animal carcasses, whether on an individual animal basis or during mass mortality events. As such, the AVMA supports increased research and education towards the development of appropriate methods and guidelines for animal carcass disposal.

The call for such an overarching policy is illustrated by several issues including the need for appropriate disposal of large numbers of carcasses during a catastrophic disease outbreak such as avian influenza or foot and mouth disease; the disposal of carcasses resulting from natural disasters such as Hurricane Ike; the disposal of carcasses potentially infected with spongiform encephalopathies; the disposal of carcasses resulting from routine mortalities; and the disposal of carcasses having toxic substance or veterinary drug residues which may impact carrion scavengers and lead to environmental contamination.

In many cases, traditional carcass disposal techniques such as rendering, incineration, burial, and other techniques are no longer feasible, practical, or allowed. In addition, a myriad of regulations overseen by multiple authorities from local, state, and federal levels result in an inconsistency of carcass disposal options from state to state and even from town to town within a state.

Increased research and education toward the development of appropriate methods and guidelines for animal carcass disposal will ease difficulties faced by veterinarians, animal owners, universities, industry, and others when seeking to determine the appropriate disposal methods based upon the scenario before them at any given time. Research in and education on many areas of this issue are needed to facilitate science-based decisions and regulations to resolve this growing problem.

Do you have expertise to offer for AVMA consideration? Send your feedback to the Scientific Activities Division at ScientificIssues.

Fellow Students: Let's Stop Talking and Start Doing

By Kelvin Urday, Governmental Relations Division Extern

The educational debt-to-salary ratio and the shortage of food animal and public health veterinarians have been called the "elephant in the room" among veterinary students. This issue has been heavily discussed by the AVMA, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and on college campuses across the country. The financial problems faced by recent veterinary grads who practice food supply medicine have also been a topic of national discussion, and numerous articles have been written voicing concerns.

These issues are closely intertwined, and many students and new graduates are currently experiencing the reality of their own financial difficulties. Is this a problem directly related to expensive education, lack of federal funding or our own profession's discrepancies? The leaders of our profession have discussed how to address this issue, and many agree that it is a complex issue that requires multiple solutions.

So what has all this discussion led us too? Well, we have some direction and an idea of where our deficiencies lay, but what is the next step and how can students get involved?

One solution to aid with student debt has been the National Veterinary Medical Services Act (NVMSA), which was part of the 2009 spending bill that President Obama signed last March. As part of NVMSA, veterinarians commit to work in underserved areas of veterinary medicine and are, in exchange, granted student loan repayment. The bill was signed into law in 2003, but there have been massive delays in getting funding and in the USDA promulgating regulations for the program.

Another piece of the puzzle is a bill currently making its way through Congress that would provide relief for veterinary shortage situations. The Veterinary Services Investment Act (VSIA), H.R. 3519 or S. 1709, would support the profession in a variety of ways, including:

• Assisting in establishing/expanding practices, equipping veterinary offices and establishing mobile veterinary facilities.
• Establishing or expanding accredited veterinary education programs.
• Assessing veterinarian shortage situations and preparation of applications for designation as a shortage situation.
• Developing programs to encourage students in secondary schools to pursue a career in veterinary medical or science professions.

This bill currently has momentum, and this is a great opportunity to contact our legislators about supporting our profession by supporting this bill. It will only take five minutes to contact your government officials through the CAN website.

Together we can make a lasting impact on our profession and continue, by supporting targeted legislation, to address the problems facing our profession.

Help Us Grow Our Facebook Network

By Stephanie Fisher, Grassroots Coordinator

An active national grassroots network with representation across the country is needed to support the AVMA's legislative agenda. Having a strong base in every district means our voice will be heard in every office on Capitol Hill.

With thousands of members, the AVMA-CAN is represented in every state and almost every congressional district. This growing network includes people from all walks of life—from practicing veterinarians and veterinary students to people who are simply concerned with food safety and animal welfare issues.

To further these goals, the CAN has been reaching out to the state VMAs and SAVMA to create partnerships. We are creating an online network of veterinary medical associations to share information and resources. This network of VMAs is another resource to reach concerned members of the veterinary community and to get them involved in advocacy with the CAN.

Take a look at our Facebook fan page. We have started to link to the state VMA pages and will be sharing stories and information. Our Facebook group is also a great source for advocacy tools and information on how to get involved. Join us on Facebook and invite your friends!

For more information, please contact Stephanie Fisher.

Make AVMA Podcasts Part of Your Outreach

Did you know that AVMA has two different podcasts series: Animal Tracks, which features pet health and safety tips, and Chew on This, which covers food safety and advocacy? Both podcast series are available on iTunes, www.AVMAMedia.org and at the links above. More importantly, both podcast series are excellent advocacy tools for you to use when working with your member of Congress.

AVMA podcasts are a great way to explain an issue to a member of Congress. They're quick and easy to understand, and they feature some of the brightest minds in veterinary medicine.

Is E. coli in the news? Forward your legislative contacts a link to our podcast on the topic. Let them learn about it from the experts. Or maybe you found out that your lawmaker's dog has arthritis. Send them a link to that podcast!

When communicating and maintaining relationships with your members of Congress, make sure your outreach includes useful educational information. AVMA podcasts are an excellent way to guarantee that happens.

Fellowship Applications Due February 12

The AVMA is now accepting applications for the 2010-2011 AVMA Congressional Science Fellowship Program. But hurry, the application deadline is February 12! Only completed applications postmarked by February 12 will be considered. The AVMA Fellowship Program offers two veterinarians the opportunity to spend a year in Washington, D.C., working in the federal government as a scientific resource. The fellowships are intended to help veterinarians garner a better understanding of the governmental process, gain insight into the future of science and the veterinary profession, and assist in creating the legislation and regulations that affect our nation and profession.

The 2009-2010 Congressional Science Fellows and the Executive Branch Fellow (not offered during 2010-2011) have adjusted well to their new roles as policymakers and regulators. Dr. Melinda Cep, a graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, is working on agriculture, food safety and public health issues in the office of Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-3-CT). Dr. Orville (Stic) Harris, a graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, is working on public health issues in the office of Senator Al Franken (D-MN). Dr. Kim Rock, the Executive Branch Fellow, a graduate of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is assigned to the Africa Bureau of the USAID, where she is working on issues related to the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases, including avian influenza and food security.

Whether you have just graduated from veterinary school or have years of experience, the program gives veterinarians a chance to try something new and different. The AVMA Fellowship experience is an exciting and unique opportunity for veterinarians to affect the world in which we live. Apply today!

If you have any questions, please e-mail Fellowship

DC Scoop

Washington was buzzing earlier this month with the news that two leading Senate Democrats were planning to mosey out to pasture and retire after this year's elections. That means that come this time next year, the senate will be minus Sens. Byron Dorgan and Christopher Dodd.

North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan's exit will mark the end of a 30-year congressional career. Senator Dorgan said he's confident he would have won reelection, but he didn't want to commit to another 6 years in the U.S. Senate.

Speaking with National Public Radio, Dorgan said his decision to retire was a "long wrestling match." He said, "The fact is I've served in public office for 40 years which is a long, long time. I served ten years in elective office in the state capital and then 30 years here in the United States Congress, 12 in the House and 18 in the Senate."

We wish Senator Dorgan the best of luck. We also wish good tidings to Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT). Senator Dodd admitted that after an illustrious congressional career spanning 36 years, a lack of popularity in Connecticut forced him to not seek another term in office.

According to The Washington Post, Senator Dodd "turned bearish on his own prospects for reelection. And Dodd, to his credit, did not pretend otherwise. He allowed that he was 'in the toughest political shape of my career,' sailing in 'stormy political waters,' and 'very aware of my present political standing.'"

As always, we'll keep you posted on what we know... as soon as we know it.

Winters in Washington are long and bitter. This winter has been one of the most unforgiving in recent memory. Like a lot of our country, our nation's capital has experienced record snowfall and temperatures well below average.

This harsh weather, coupled with an infamously large homeless population in D.C., is a recipe for human tragedy.

The AVMA Governmental Relations Division decided to pull together and take action to help the less fortunate who are often forced to survive the elements outdoors. Throughout December, GRD collected winter coats from employees and friends. The 2009 GRD Coat Drive was a smashing success – more than 85 coats, along with sweaters, gloves and scarves, were collected and delivered to First Helping, the Street Outreach Team of D.C. Central Kitchen.

We are all happy to give back to our community and are positive that First Helping will deliver the coats to those most in need.

-- Eric McKeeby, Government Relations Communications Manager

Legislative Update

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