Reported by Malcolm A. Kram, DVM

Washington, DC – March 15- 16 marked the meeting of AVMA’s Legislative Advisory Committee (LAC) to review and comment on the focus of AVMA’s activities within the 108^th Congress and that of AVMA’s Governmental Relations Division (GRD).  LAC’s Chair, Dr. Gregory Hammer opened the meeting with the introduction of GRD’s new Director, Dr. Michael Chaddock.  While Dr. Chaddock’s leadership was welcome news, committee members also learned of significant staffing shortages created by the loss of key staffers, Drs. Bernadette Dunham and Dean Goeldner, to federal agency positions. This will lay a heavy burden on Dr. Pamela Abney and April Demert to maintain and provide institutional memory and guidance to AVMA.  Plans are in place for Dr. Chaddock to ramp up his staff quickly and any AVMA member with interest in these positions should check current issues of the JAVMA and or AVMA’s website (www.avma.org/grd).

Key federal legislative issues for this congressional session will focus on MUMS (Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act); ADUFA (Animal Drug User Fee Act); National Veterinary Medical Services Act; Board Certified Pay for Federal Veterinarians; and Association Health Plans. Details for each of these key legislative proposals can be found at AVMA’s Government Action Center within the AVMA’s website or by contacting the GRD at 800 321-1473.

While ADUFA is progressing rapidly within the legislative process, MUMS

needs a large grassroots push as it is being held back by concerns of food animal safety. MUMS, which has been introduced in the Senate, as bill S.741 needs your immediate action in securing co-sponsorship.  Senators from the following States are critical: Connecticut, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. Not sure what to say or how to do this, contact April Demert or Dr. Pamela Abney at the GRD.

The National Veterinary Medical Services Act should be the key concern for all States with schools or colleges of Veterinary Medicine as well as veterinarians and students grappling with educational indebtedness. This act will provide loan forgiveness for veterinary students and new graduates who agree to work in underserved areas, in underserved population groups and in underserved disciplines of veterinary practice.  Again, a strong grassroots effort is required NOW!

One of the most significant issues of impact for the LAC and more importantly the profession is the rapidly spreading attempts to legislate the change from animal ownership to animal guardianship.  While our profession is keenly aware of the value of the human animal bond, it has not yet grasped the impact of guardianship and the profession’s role in education of the public.  This is a lot more than potential significant increases in veterinary malpractice insurance but rather an impact of food animal production, pet ownership and vitally important research. The LAC, acutely aware of the impact of such legislation, has strongly encouraged the AVMA’s Executive Board to actively support an initiative to educate the public as well as legislators through enhancing its outreach with non-traditional coalition partners, such as the AARP.  To learn more about the impact of “guardianship”, the author would suggest that you read the May/June 2002 issue of California Veterinarian entitled Ownership of Animals versus Guardianship of Animals.  Additionally, you can contact Dr. Gail Golab (ggolab@avma.org) at AVMA’s Schaumburg office.  Aligned with this issue is the Foundation for Biomedical Research’s newly launched program entitled Animal Research Saves Animals, Too.  For more information on this initiative contact Donna Artuso at dmartuso@fbresearch.org.

For veterinarians with DEA registrations, hang on to your wallets as the Drug Enforcement Agency is proposing a 90% increase in fees.  This proposal was published in the February 18^th issue of the Federal Register.  Veterinarians and others impacted by this change have until April 21, 2003 to comment.  Time is now for you to send your written comments to: The Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington, DC 20537, Attention: DEA.

On the positive is the announcement that the LAC’s previous recommendation and support for a study on the status and future of selected fields of veterinary research in the United States has been approved by the National Academies.  Research dollars, specifically ear marked for veterinary medicine have basically evaporated.  This study will provide significant facts and data that potentially could impact the creation of new dollars for veterinary research in the fields of public health, food safety, animal health and comparative medicine.  Funding for this study under the auspices of the Board of Agriculture and Natural Resources is being sought from public and private sources such as the AVMA, FDA, USDA, and the pharmaceutical industry.  For more information visit AVMA’s website Government Action Center or contact Dr. Elizabeth Sabin at esabin@avma.org.

Additional topics discussed were: horse slaughter legislation, proposed revisions to the model veterinary practice act, enhanced scope to the AVMA’s Fellowship program, agri and eco terrorism, and federal agency budget issues.  In closing, the members of the LAC were reminded that certain constituent group’s seats on the committee were up for re-election and that nominations are due immediately. April Demert at the GRD should be contacted for further information on those constituent groups impacted.  The next scheduled meeting of the LAC was set for the fall of 2003, and the Committee’s session was adjourned.