The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to increase the number of veterinarians working in food animal practices. H.R. 525, The Veterinary Public Health Workforce Amendments Act of 2011, is sponsored by Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin).
Though over two thousand new veterinarians graduate and become eligible to practice veterinary medicine each year, many posit that this is not enough to meet the demand. The bill passed by the House would amend the Public Health Service Act by adding veterinary public health to the groups of professionals that can be awarded grants for training.
The legislation, if passed by the Senate, could also make veterinarians eligible for student loan repayment. Increasing the number of large animal veterinarians could help ensure the safety of both animals and the food supply.
To read the bill, H.R. 525, click here.
Posted: 3/15/11
