New bill would expand veterinary student debt repayment program

Federal lawmakers have reintroduced legislation to minimize student debt and improve access to veterinary care in rural areas.

Launched with support from the AVMA, the VMLRP Enhancement Act would expand the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. The program 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 USDA-designated rural veterinary shortage areas.

According to the AVMA, the new bill would remove a withholding tax to maximize funding and allow the program to reach more communities in need of veterinary services.

Currently, 37% of the funding allocated to the program is returned to the federal government through the tax. Since 2010, about 1,600 veterinarians have applied to the program, but only about 550 have received awards.

“Recruitment and retention of veterinarians in rural practice continue to be a challenge for the profession,” said Dr. K. Fred Gingrich, executive director of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. “The VMLRP has proven successful with retention; however, the tax implications for the award decreases its impact factor.”

The AABP supports the new bill, Gingrich said. “Retaining these colleagues in underserved areas has implications on animal health, food safety and welfare.”