Effort Under Way to Maximize VMLRP Awards Through Tax Exemption
The shortage of veterinary care in some communities could have dire consequences for both human and animal health, as well as public safety, animal welfare, disease surveillance and economic development. To help combat the shortages, Congress originally authorized the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) in 2003 and just recently funded it with $9.6 million. The first awards will be made by the end of fiscal year 2010. Unfortunately, as the rules stand now, all VMLRP awards are taxed at 39 percent. While participants will not bear this tax burden – the Secretary of Agriculture will pay the taxes directly from appropriated funds.
Maximizing each dollar that Congress appropriates for the loan repayment program and ensuring that designated shortage areas receive the veterinary services as quickly as possible is of paramount importance to the AVMA. Veterinary loan repayment and forgiveness programs incentivize our nation’s veterinary workforce to serve on the front lines of animal agriculture, providing veterinary care to rural farms and ranches. This veterinary care protects food safety and public health, improves animal health and welfare, promotes sustainable economic development in rural communities, and helps safeguard our homeland.
The Association has been actively pursuing a federal income tax exemption for payments received under the VMLRP and similar state programs that further the goal of encouraging veterinarians to practice in the smaller and rural communities where their services are desperately needed. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act will be introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 21 by Senators Tim Johnson D-SD and Mike Crapo R-ID along with original cosponsors Sam Brownback R-KS and Jim Risch R-ID. It is anticipated that additional senators will join the bill prior to introduction.
One hundred and eighteen organizations have agreed to join the AVMA’s tax-exemption campaign by signing onto a statement of support.
One hundred and twenty-three organizations have agreed to join the AVMA’s tax-exemption campaign by signing a statement of support and now we need your support as well. Tell your Senator to cosponsor the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act.
Take action now to make sure your Senators support this legislation
The Anitbiotic Debate Heats Up
Even more hot, humid and sticky than the recent Washington, D.C., weather, is the antibiotic resistance discussion going on around town. Everyone seems to have their “silver bullet” or “smoking gun” to throw on the table, but, as I heard one wise individual state during my externship, if there is a seemingly simple solution to an issue as complex as antimicrobial resistance, then it’s probably the wrong solution.
This issue has the potential to impact how veterinarians are permitted to use antibiotics to prevent and control disease in animal agriculture. The veterinary profession cannot afford to sit back, let other groups speak for us on this issue and dictate a potentially restrictive solution. That’s why the GRD is involved on a daily basis with bringing veterinary medicine’s concerns and solutions to the table.
For instance, at the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on “Promoting the Development of Antibiotics and Ensuring Judicious Use In Humans,” the American Medical Association’s testimony included, “…reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animal agriculture,” as the third of three efforts that might be undertaken in order to reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics. The next subcommittee hearing on antimicrobial use in animal agriculture is scheduled for this month.
So what can you do in the mean time? Get familiar with the current proposed legislative solutions that are being discussed on Capitol Hill regarding antibiotics and antibiotic resistance: The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2009 (PAMTA) and Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (STAAR) Act. Next, gather some data. You can start with taking action through the AVMA-CAN Government Action Center on these bills (AVMA brief on PAMTA, AVMA brief on STAAR) and by reading the AVMA’s response to the Pew Commission report on Industrial Farm Animal Production. Or read the current FDA reports, press releases and government oversight work related to antimicrobial resistance. Go and see what other groups are saying; for instance, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA on PAMTA), National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the AMA. THEN formulate your own suggestions and conclusions based on the most relevant data and your own veterinary experiences.
Finally – and this is the most important part – actually communicate your thoughts and experiences on this issue to your various elected representatives. Utilizing these important channels is the only way that we create policy solutions based on science! Every letter, email and phone call counts. The entire Colorado delegation that I spoke with in D.C. confirmed the importance of constituents actually reaching out to them and letting their views be known.
Fortunately, the AVMA has a direct link to find your local delegates as well as the AVMA-CAN Government Action Center, where you can find more information on these bills. The AVMA staff in D.C. knows these issues inside and out and they are working hard on your behalf. As a major stakeholder in this situation, we all have a responsibility to keep this conversation on track, rather than let others dictate its course. Don’t let the rhetoric dominate this issue. Get familiar, get data, get informed, and get in the game.
The Art of Schmoozing
I will admit that I find the pace that technology changes to be overwhelming. I feel as if just yesterday updating your friends involved changing your AIM away message. Now we have Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, online newsletters, etc, etc, etc. Information is instantaneous and not in short supply. Luckily, despite all the new tools at our fingertips the best method of communication remains the face-to-face meeting.
Entire courses are offered about the art of schmoozing. Roughly stated, schmoozing is the fine act of getting someone to remember you and your point of view. As an AVMA extern you will have plenty of opportunities to attend political action committee (PAC) events, fundraisers, rallies and parties. Each time you walk into an event your goals is to maintain or establish a long-term contact and convey your message to the power brokers in attendance. First impressions, networking, elevator speeches, branding – all words that describe components of this timeless process. As I near the end of my time here in DC, I thought I would share the top 5 schmoozing lessons I’ve learned or had reinforced.
1. Know your audience. If you know who will be there, do a little research. What are their goals? Which issues are currently important to their constituents? Think Google stalking someone is creepy? Don’t worry; chances are someone will be checking up on you. Best to be equally prepared.
2. Read, watch the news and be familiar with wide vary of topics, not just veterinary issues. I’ve found the ability to ask timely and intelligent questions to be more important than offering solutions.
3. First impressions occur long before your first hello. This goes with my rule of never entering an event in a bad mood. Although appearance is important, body language is crucial. You can learn a great deal from Tom Sawyer, people find happiness magnetic.
4. Contacts are important. Have your business cards ready and establish yourself as someone who is willing to help. Everyone here is very busy. You’ll be lucky to get 3 solid minutes with someone during an event; make the most of it. After exchanging business cards, make sure to follow up with an email within 24 hr.
5. There is no such thing as “off the record”. I like to describe DC as a very small city. Conversations on the subway, over drinks or even at private dinner parties are public.
Serving as an AVMA extern is an invaluable experience. The people you meet and topics you discuss are unique to DC. Although technology has offered us new tools to reach out, catch up or offer our input, there is no substitute for a firm hand shake and friendly hello.
The Antibiotic Dilemma
Issues over the use of antibiotics have been raging on for years. The scientific data is complex, the economic implications are vast and public opinion is continually being molded through public relations efforts. When discussing antibiotic resistance, no one argues the phenomenon of microevolution and the impact that selection pressure has on development of resistance. No one would debate that it is important that we have medications available to treat disease. We, however, enter a grey area when discussing solutions. Disagreements on how to interpret current data, conflicting information concerning success of programs in Denmark and increasing public attention has only increased frustrations and created additional questions.
- Will removal of animal antibiotics have an impact on resistant infections in people?
- How will removal of antibiotics impact the economics of animal agriculture in the long term?
- How will removal impact animal welfare?
The list of questions goes on.
I have been fortunate to hear a great deal of discussion on this issue during the first three weeks of my externship at AVMA. I attended a Health and Human Services listening session, a House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on “Promoting the Development of Antibiotics and Ensuring Judicious Use in Humans,” and meetings with AASV and AABP for their day in DC. I have also had lengthy discussions with representatives from HSUS and the PEW Charitable Trust concerning the topic.
I could go on at length about each of these experiences, but I’d like to touch briefly on the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing. This meeting, held in the Rayburn House Office Building, served as a reminder to me that our physician colleagues are also coming under considerable pressure for their use of antibiotics. Here are a few of the highlights from the hearing that are important to animal agriculture:
- Each expert admitted that there is a current overuse of antibiotics in the medical industry.
- Animal agriculture was sited as a source of antibiotic resistance, due to use in sub-therapeutic levels, by the AMA, IDSA and Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colorado).
- Off label use became a topic of lengthy discussion during Q&A. Discussion centered on off label use in humans, but this topic is also of high importance in veterinary medicine.
- In human medicine, the highest use of antibiotics is in children. This is important to note as one of the most important antibiotic uses in veterinary medicine is in newly weaned animals.
- Lack of economic incentives, difficulty getting drugs passed by FDA and relatively little funding for research for new antibiotic discoveries has led to no novel antibiotics being approved in over 20 years.
- Definitive diagnoses are often difficult to determine before antibiotic regimen begins. Antibiotics are employed to prevent possible septicemia and progression of disease.
Main solutions proposed
- decrease the inappropriate use;
- increase product in pipeline through incentives, such as extending market exclusivity and tax exemptions;
- prevent initial bacterial infections and spread of infection through increased vaccine development;
- increase number of quick and accurate diagnostic tests to find definitive diagnosis before initiation of treatment;
- utilize more OTC for symptomatic treatment; and
- mandate that hospitals keep infection data.
Currently there is more discussion than action on this topic. Still, there is concern by many in the animal agriculture community that PAMTA (Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act) could be added as an amendment to the Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510).
The debate on how to curb antibiotic resistance rages on and it’s exciting to be a part of the discussions. My schedule continues to be extremely full, and not a day has gone by where I’ve said that I’m bored. After all, who could be bored when you have an opportunity to combine the arts of science, law, economics and public relations?
Neanderthal Extern Loose in Washington, D.C!!!
Be on the look out for a Neanderthal AVMA Extern sporting a Colorado State Veterinary Medicine shoulder bag, suit and tie. He has been seen frequently roaming the area the House and Senate buildings near the Capitol, the Library of Congress, many of the Smithsonian museums (from which we think he escaped), the special propaganda exhibit at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Dupont Circle, and all over the Metro subway system. 
He particularly favors the Darwin Special Exhibit currently going on at the Natural History Museum and is believed to be attempting to evolve before our very eyes. He is not particularly dangerous, but if found, he may launch into a short diatribe regarding antimicrobial resistance and something on the Hill known as PAMTA, veterinary medical loan repayment programs that aren’t yet tax exempt (AHHHHH!), and something called the veterinary services investment act.
Please Note: Neanderthal Extern would like you to know that veterinarians can THIS YEAR, for the first time, apply for veterinary medical loan repayment. See the USDA application instructions and designated underserved areas that are eligible for repayment. New grads, this is an awesome opportunity to get up to $75,000 of your loans repaid. Who knows, you may even be working in one of these areas already…even the Neanderthal Extern knows that Free Money is the best kind of money. So apply now!
P.S. If you want to see yourself as a Neanderthal, check out the iPhone app MEanderthal. Is there anything the iPhone doesn’t do?
Externs: Where Are They Now?
It’s amazing how life can change in just 14 months! I completed my eye-opening student externship at AVMA-GRD in March, 2009. Graduation soon followed, and I went to work at a small animal practice in San Diego, California. In January of this year, I was offered a unique position working for the Annenberg Foundation as Animal Services Manager for a new project in Los Angeles. The proposed facility would focus on public education, the human-animal bond and our relationship with the environment. Plans include a small adoption facility, along with a broad range of classes and educational programs for the community. This position requires a multitude of diverse skills along with a knowledge of veterinary clinical practice. The AVMA-GRD externship helped me build the critical skills I now need: communication, persuasive writing and in-depth knowledge of issues in the animal care community.
We are currently in the planning and public approval process for development of the Annenberg Facility. I consult with others daily about the building layout, exhibit design, public programming and outreach.
I have recently taken on an exciting project — to mobilize our veterinary and animal care community for national media attention. I submitted a video to the Oprah Winfrey Network for a talk show about the human-animal bond. This will raise social awareness of animal related issues while educating (and entertaining) the public. This is a voting competition that ends July 3rd. Please consider taking the time to watch the video and vote. Additional information can be found here.
I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in the AVMA student extern experience in Washington, D.C. where I worked on some of the skills that have been so instrumental in making my transition from vet school to working professional an unbridled success. I encourage all of you to think seriously about taking advantage of this program. You don’t know what you’re missing!
- Dr. Amber Andersen, DVM
Silly Calendar
What day is it? This calendar can’t be right. There is no way that its only Wednesday. So much has happened already this week. Last night I met my first Senator, John Thune, from South Dakota. Wait a minute…there’s a South Dakota? Who knew. But seriously, he is a Co-sponsor and lead champion of the Veterinary Services Investment Act(S.1709) that would authorize new competitive grant programs to relieve veterinary shortage situations and support veterinary services. Rumor on the Hill is that he may even be a presidential candidate in 2012 – but I’m not sure that I’ve been here quite long enough to spread rumors like that so let’s just keep that on the down low. He was also nice enough to provide Five Guys burgers for everyone in attendance at his event. Very tasty.
Tuesday also marked the start of the CAST Symposium. CAST is the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. The symposium this week is highlighting various perspectives on sustainability, the ethics of biotechnology, and animal welfare. Speakers range from philosophers to the executive directors of sustainability at large corporations like Wal-Mart and Cargill. I have found the ethical perspectives particularly intriguing and thought provoking. If you are interested (or if you CSU second year PVM students want to be better informed/prepared for Dr. Rollin’s ethics class next semester), Dr. Paul Thompson has just completed a paper for CAST that reviews animal biotechnology techniques, discusses related key ethical issues, evaluates religious views and traditions regarding animal biotechnology, summarizes public opinion research on the topic, and evaluates the challenges and opportunities for the ethical development of agricultural animal biotechnology. Dr. Thompson is a Professor of Philosophy, Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics and Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and Resource Studies at Michigan State University. This paper is Part 9 of a 9 part series, “ANIMAL AGRICULTURE’S FUTURE THROUGH BIOTECHNOLOGY.” It is currently available for free on the CAST website so get it while you still can. Like I said in my first blog, its crazy the kind of stuff you can get for free around here…
Finally, today (its still Wednesday right or maybe its Thursday now – forgive me while I still try to figure out this whole calendar thing.) I went to the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on “Promoting the Development of Antibiotics and Ensuring Judicious Use in Humans.” Antimicrobial resistance is a hot topic on the Hill right now. and and we heard testimony from numerous stakeholders in the issue. The hearing concluded with three main recurring points: the FDA must be more flexible in the novel antimicrobial approval process, pharmaceutical companies need more incentive to get back into the antimicrobial development business, and health professionals need to employ more judicious use of antimicrobials. The next hearing on this topic involves use in animal agriculture. I REALLY hope that I’m still here for that discussion because this is an issue that can have a very large impact on the veterinary profession. There are a couple of bills out there now that could really restrict antibiotic usage as we know it in veterinary medicine, namely the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (S.619/H.R. 1549) and Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance Act (H.R. 2400). The AVMA opposes both of these bills largely due to the broad brush approach used in the absence of sound scientific recommendations. These bills, if passed, have the potential to carry some hefty unintended consequences for our veterinary profession and highlight the need to make our voices heard. So PLEASE do not hesitate to get involved. If you do not know how to get involved or are unsure of what it means to get involved, PLEASE contact me and I will pass your concerns on to the right people or tell you how to find them. Thanks for reading and I will talk to you all again soon!
Engage Warp Speed!
This has been a very exciting week. I’ve been moving at Mach 2 speeds and absorbing as much information as possible. In only two days, I have had the opportunity visit with the offices of 5 different congressman. I have also attended political action committee (PAC) events, a session on antibiotic resistance and a symposium on balancing bioethics, economics and social issues in animal agriculture.
The thing that I have enjoyed the most has been the opportunity to work on the hill and speak about AVMA’s legislative agenda. The three main items we have discussed are the Veterinary Service Investment Act (S. 1709/H.R.3519), Tax Exemption for the Veterinary Loan Repayment Program and opposition to the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (S.619/H.R.1549). My first reaction to advocating on the hill was an amazement of how young the legislative assistants are. My second reaction was a realization that I truly am the content expert. The rigors of veterinary school does a good job identifying your gaps in knowledge and advocating on the hill does a reminds you that you’ve come away from three years of intense studies with a huge amount of scientific knowledge.
I must admit it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Every new experience has its challenges. I have managed to get myself locked in a malfunctioning metro. I took the bus in the wrong direction and have even had to make a quick call to my mother in order to ask how to keep these crazy skirts from revolving 180 degrees around my waste (they don’t teach you these things in school).
Don’t worry; life in DC is not all work and no play. I’m taking time to smell the roses. I love listening to the bands and street singers in Dupont Circle. I’ve made time for one (okay, two) happy hours; and, I even took the time to kindly explain to a family that the large white building east of the National Mall was the Capital Building and not actually the White House.
It’s a good thing I like moving at warp speed. There is a lot to experience in Washington.
Navigating DC’s Historical Streets
Someone once told me that being happy is an indication that you are living your passion. Crazy as it may seem, I am energized by debates. I am fascinated by the hearings that bring together experts from all over the world to discuss an issue. I am even inspired by activists who stand in mass for what they choose to believe in. For me, Washington, DC has always been synonymous with potential, and therefore happiness. It has been the setting of some of our country’s most legendary stories. The opportunity to learn in Washington feels, in a small part, like an opportunity to prepare for my role in impacting our country’s future.
It’s true, I do have a flare for the literary dramatic. But, you can very often feel the excitement when walking down the streets of Washington. There are people from all walks of life, speaking different languages and all excited to be to at the epicenter of this political storm.
I’m looking forward to my time here in Washington with the AVMA - Governmental Relations Division. It’s been a steep learning curve. I’ve spent my first week making contacts, learning how to navigate the public transit system and becoming proficient in the legislative items that the GRD is actively pursuing. The time has flown by and I’m confident week 2 will be equally as memorable. Welcome to my account of June, in Washington, at the AVMA’s Governmental Relations Division.
An Information Addict on the Hill
I came to Capitol Hill, barely two weeks removed from my last dose. I felt like most of it had cleared my system and I was ready for a long, relaxing summer. I tried to mask my recovery with a couple of new suits and a professional attitude, but once I got to the Hill, I just couldn’t resist. Now at the end of my first week here, let’s just face it. I’m a junkie, in a tie. The stuff they have here isn’t necessarily better than the vet school stuff, it’s just different. But, unlike vet school, they give most of it away for free! How awesome is that! Oh, I’m sorry. Where are my manners? Would you like some? If you have the time, I’ve got the stuff…
Hello. My name is Anthony Bartels and I am a full blown information junkie. After finishing my MBA and second year of veterinary school this past May, I thought I might want to be off of the information stuff for a while, but boy howdy do they have a plethora of high grade information here in Washington, D.C. You can’t help but run into it everywhere and it almost seems like everyone is on it. On the corner, on the train, on the bus, on the Hill, it’s everywhere. I have so many appointments on my calendar for next week, I just hope my body (mostly my feet - stinking new shoes) can handle this amount and quality of information. Wait a minute, I have a calendar? For those of you who know me and my organized chaos approach to life, you know that just ain’t right. But trust me, this stuff is that good.
I have already met so many great people with amazing stories and experiences to share. I’ve been to a DCCC event where I heard one side break down the other. Who needs Fox News and MSNBC when you can get a purely partisan presentation right from the source? This morning I met with Senator Burr’s (R-NC) staff to discuss the Veterinary Services Investment Act(S.1709) and I even met a random veterinarian on the metro who recommended a spay/neuter externship after she saw my AVMA folder. I’m telling you folks, they just GIVE the stuff away here. I’m so geeked up on info right now, you don’t even know. I can’t wait to see what kind of stuff I can get my head on next week!
Just a little preview: Antimicrobial Resistance & Sustaining Animal Agriculture: Balancing Bioethical, Economic, and Social Issues, two of my very favorite controversial veterinary topics. I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Please check out my extern partner Rachel’s posts as well. She will have another great perspective to offer you all about the AVMA-GRD experience.