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| Advocacy > Federal > Legislative activities > Current agenda > 110th agenda > Issue brief |
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| Issue brief |
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| National Veterinary Medical Service Act (P.L. 108-161) |
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| Summary: |
- NVMSA is a loan repayment program for veterinarians who practice in underserved areas. This loan repayment program is to be administered by the USDA.
- The rapid escalation in average veterinary student debt, now exceeding $100,000, coupled with the worsening shortage of veterinarians practicing in rural communities, provided the original impetus for this Act.
- Recently heightened awareness of terrorist and foreign animal disease threats to our public health and food supply resulted in an expansion of NVMSA's authority to include shortage areas in government positions and inner-city practice.
- NVMSA also creates a reserve corps of veterinarians available for mobilization in the event of an animal disease emergency or disaster.
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| Current Status: |
- Enacted in December 2003 and appropriated in both FY06 and FY07, NVMSA's rules remain unwritten by the USDA, rendering the program non-functional.
- The Bush Administration has yet to request funding for NVMSA, prioritize its rule-making process, or attempt to develop NVMSA's reserve emergency veterinary corps component.
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| Purpose: |
- Improve the country's emergency preparedness and response capability in the event of an animal catastrophe.
- Provide rural and disadvantaged communities with veterinary services.
- Alleviate the problem of an enlarging veterinary student debt to salary ratio.
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| Why AVMA Supports this Issue: |
| Veterinarians are the first medical professionals to diagnose the diseases in animals that may spread to humans ("zoonotic" diseases). An increasing number of the diseases that threaten public health are zoonotic, as are 80% of potential bioterror disease agents. The exponential spread of infectious disease necessitates rapid diagnosis if the disease is to be controlled. The geographic absence of veterinarians in many rural areas thus constitutes a significant threat to our country's public health. Additionally, the safety of our country's food supply is safeguarded by veterinarians. Not only is the food supply vital for obvious reasons, but the economic activity generated by the food supply is also critical to our country's economy. |
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| Known Opposition to the AVMA Position: |
| None |
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| For More Information: |
| For information on how you can work with your Member of Congress to support this legislation, please contact Dr. Mark Lutschaunig of the AVMA-Governmental Relations Division at 800-321-1473, ext. 3205, or mlutschaunig@avma.org. |
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| Related Documents |
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| National Veterinary Medical Service Act (NVMSA) |
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H.R. 1367 National Veterinary Medical Service Act (House). (PDF)
HR 1367 NVMSA passed in the House of Representatives: November 17, 2003. (PDF)
S. 858 NVMSA introduction in the Senate: November 13, 2003. (PDF)
S. 858 NVMSA passed in the Senate. (PDF)
NVMSA Public Law 101-141 December 6, 2003. (PDF)
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate, NVMSA. (PDF) |
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Communications between Congress and the USDA
Secretary Veneman letter to Chairman Goodlatte: USDA support of H.R. 1367/S. 858 NVMSA: July 2003. (PDF)
Congressman Latham's (R-4th/IA) letter to USDA Secretary Johanns: January 11, 2007. (PDF)
USDA letter to Congressman Latham: February 20, 2007. (PDF)
USDA answers to Senator Brownback's (R-KS) Appropriation's hearings questions: May 2007. (PDF)
Senator Craig (R-ID) and Senator Brownback letter to Secretary Johanns: February 15, 2007. (PDF) |
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| Appropriations |
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| 2006 |
| H.R. 2744 Making Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes. NVMSA appropriated $500,000. (PDF) |
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| H.R. 2744 Conference Report. (PDF) |
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| 2007 |
| Senate Appropriations Committee Report 109-266 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies for fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes. Committee appropriated $750,000. (PDF) |
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| Senator Brownback letter to Senator Byrd in support of NVMSA funding in the FY2007 Continuing Resolution: January 26, 2007 (PDF) |
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| USDA |
CSREES NVMSA Talking points: June 22, 2006 (PDF)
Federal Register notice designating NVMSA to USDA CSREES: March 19, 2007 (PDF)
CSREES NVMSA Timeline (PDF) |
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| Other |
| State of Vermont House of Representatives Joint House Resolution supporting NVMSA: May 2007 (PDF) |
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Go to the Government Action Center |
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American Veterinary Medical Association
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