Veterinarians head to Capitol Hill to discuss rural veterinary care, association health plans
On Aug. 1, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is bringing more than 170 veterinarians to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and discuss legislation affecting veterinary medicine. This event will be AVMA's largest Capitol Hill event ever, with veterinarians conducting more than 200 meetings with congressional offices.
Veterinarians will discuss a variety of policy issues with Congress, including asking lawmakers to pass the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act (S. 1163/H.R. 2746). This legislation would help close veterinary access gaps by placing additional food animal and public health veterinarians in U.S. Department of Agriculture-designated veterinary shortage areas.
Veterinarians will also ask Congress to pass the Association Health Plans Act of 2019 (S. 1170/H.R. 2294). This legislation would help expand the AVMA-sponsored association health program for members to ensure more veterinarians are able to access high-quality, reliable health insurance designed to meet their unique needs.
Before heading to Capitol Hill, veterinarians will hear from Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.). Rep. Yoho is one of three veterinarians in Congress.
Following the Hill day, thousands of veterinarians will arrive in Washington for AVMA’s 2019 Annual Convention, which takes place Aug. 2-6 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Attending veterinarians will discuss the latest trends and topics in veterinary medicine, experience first-class continuing education, and help shape the future of the veterinary profession.
Members of the media must register with the AVMA prior to the convention in order to validate their press credentials and ensure that their press badges and materials are ready for them when they arrive. Registration for the press is free.
To learn more about AVMA Convention 2019, visit www.avmaconvention.org. For more information on media opportunities at the AVMA Convention, and to register as a press attendee, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations specialist, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilippo
avma [dot] org.
The AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, speaking for more than 100,000 member veterinarians across the United States who care passionately about protecting animal health, animal welfare and human health. Informed by its members' unique scientific training and knowledge, the AVMA advocates for policies that advance the practice of veterinary medicine and support the crucial work of veterinarians nationwide.