[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 22, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E896-E897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        VETERINARY HEALTH ENHANCEMENT ACT FOR UNDER-SERVED AREAS

                                 ______
                                 

                   HON. CHARLES W. ``CHIP'' PICKERING

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2001

  Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, many rural and inner city areas of the 
United States lack proper veterinary care within their communities. As 
a result, the health of both animals and humans in these areas is at 
risk. In many cases, veterinarians, upon graduating from a school of 
veterinary medicine, opt to practice in prosperous urban settings which 
often provide opportunities for higher standings of living. The result 
is a lack of animal health care professionals in hundreds of 
communities and rural regions.
  Rural areas of the United States are going through a unique 
transformation. Thousands of small-town, agrarian communities are 
literally vanishing. These agricultural communities are dependent upon 
livestock veterinarians to help ensure the well-being of their rural 
economies. Unfortunately, lower earning potential, long hours, 
unfavorable weather conditions, danger, and fewer farmers are making 
livestock veterinarians remarkably scarce in these agrarian 
communities.
  In the same respect, inner-city areas have also noticed a shortage of 
animal health care professionals within their communities. These areas 
are potential hotbeds for dangerous diseases carried by rodents and 
stray animals. These diseases can be easily transmitted to

[[Page E897]]

residents, particularly more highly-susceptible children. Veterinarians 
may often be the key in preventing the spread of such diseases in 
highly-populated, inner-city areas.
  In response to the growing number of under-served areas that are 
lacking animal health care professionals, I am introducing the 
``Veterinary Health Enhancement Act for Under-served Areas'' to meet 
the health care needs of these communities. Under this proposal, 
veterinary students will be provided scholarships and tuition debt 
relief if they choose to choose to practice in under-served areas for 
an agreed upon period of time. The result of having veterinarians 
provide their services to these communities will improve animal health, 
will ensure that the risk of disease transfer from animals to humans is 
minimal, and will improve economic opportunities for agriculture 
producers who depend on livestock veterinarians.
  This is non-controversial legislation that will provide benefits to 
the entire country. I urge my colleagues to show their commitment to 
communities throughout their respective districts which lack proper 
veterinary care by lending their support for the ``Veterinary Health 
Enhancement Act for Under-Served Areas''.

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