News Notes

Congress Renews Call to Recruit and Retain Veterinarians in High-Need Areas

After working with congressional offices and other stakeholders, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) advocacy work led to the reintroduction of the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act in the Senate and House. The bipartisan legislation would help recruit and retain veterinarians in underserved and rural areas.

Strongly endorsed by the AVMA, this bipartisan legislation would:

• Expand the reach and maximize the allocated funding of the highly successful Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), which can help to attract veterinarians in Department of Agriculture-designated veterinary shortage areas by assisting with the significant obstacle of educational debt.
• End the federal taxation on VMLRP awards, allowing more veterinarians to participate in a program that offers up to $120,000 over 3 years for student loan repayment in exchange for service in one of the designated shortage areas.
• Align the tax code with human and other healthcare professions’ award funds.

In 2025, the USDA declared 243 rural veterinary shortage areas in 46 states, which is the highest number of shortage areas ever. Since 2010, the USDA has awarded 883 VMLRP awards to veterinarians; meanwhile, 2,197 applications have been received to participate in the program since its inception.

“Recruiting and retaining veterinarians through the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act is key to protecting our nation’s food supply, preserving animal welfare, and upholding public health,” said Sandra Faeh, DVM, the AVMA president. “Livestock and public health veterinarians are essential to strengthening the nation’s animal health infrastructure and agricultural economy. We urge Congress to address this increasingly important issue by passing the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act.”

Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Representatives Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and John Larson (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act. They issued the following statements:

“Access to quality veterinary care is vital for Idaho’s agricultural industry,” Sen. Crapo said. “By addressing the burdensome taxes on the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, this legislation would allow more veterinarians to serve in the rural and underserved communities most in need and help ensure ranchers and farmers have access to these essential veterinary services.”

Sen. Smith added: “In nearly every state in the country, there are shortages for veterinarians, especially in rural areas. This record shortage causes serious harm to the health of animals and the public. Providing additional funding to the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and updating the tax code to better serve veterinarians will allow more qualified vets to do vital work with our animals in underserved communities.” MeV