The Veterinary Workforce Expansion Act (S. 914/H.R. 2206) creates a competitive grants program to increase the number of veterinarians that graduate from College of Veterinary Medicine in the United States. These grants will expand capacity and services at existing schools, including increased teaching laboratories, research facilities, classrooms and administrative space. The federal government has not provided general funding to increase the number of veterinarians in over 30 years. Because the veterinary colleges serve as a national resource, a federal response is critical.
Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO) introduced S. 914 on April 27, 2005. It is currently in the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. On May 9, 2005, Congressman Chip Pickering (R-MS-3) introduced H.R. 2206; the bill was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
For more information please email Brian Smith, Legislative Assistant, at bsmith@aavmc.org
For more detailed information on VWEA you can search http://thomas.loc.gov/ by bill number H.R. 2206 or S. 914