The AVMA is urging Congress to pass the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) Enhancement Act, H.R. 2447/S. 2215 before the end of the year. The bill would help increase access to food animal and public health veterinary services in USDA-designated rural areas by assisting with the significant obstacle of student loan debt.
Already receiving strong, bipartisan support in Congress, the legislation would help expand the VMLRP, which provides food animal and public health veterinarians up to $25,000 a year for student loan repayment in exchange for at least three years of service in one of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-designated rural veterinary shortage areas. The USDA declared 226 shortage areas in 46 states, four in Washington, for 2022.
The passage of the VMLRP Enhancement Act would end the federal taxation of VMLRP awards, thus allowing the program to reach more underserved communities. The bill also addresses the challenges that ranchers and farmers in rural communities face in obtaining essential veterinary services for their livestock.
Please use the form to send a letter asking your members of Congress to support the VMLRP Enhancement Act. Personalized letters from constituents have the greatest impact on Congress, so we encourage you to personalize your letter with any stories you have about the importance of the VMLRP and the need to pass the VMLRP Enhancement Act before the year’s end.
Posted December 16, 2022