Bipartisan Push to Tackle Rural Veterinarian Shortage
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has joined a bipartisan coalition reintroducing the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act (S.1163), a critical measure to combat the worsening shortage of veterinarians in rural America.
The legislation seeks to remove the 39% federal withholding tax on student loan repayments awarded to veterinarians who commit to three years of service in USDA-designated veterinary shortage areas. This change would align the program with existing exemptions for medical professionals, ensuring more funding directly supports veterinarians in underserved communities.
“The veterinarian shortage in rural Mississippi and across the country has reached a crisis level, making the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act an urgent priority,” Hyde-Smith said. “This bill will maximize taxpayer investment in the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and help ensure rural communities have the veterinary care they need. I’m committed to working with my colleagues to finally enact these long-overdue reforms.”
Since its creation in 2003, the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP)—funded at $10 million for FY2025—has helped recruit veterinarians to underserved regions. However, under current law, nearly 40% of program funds are diverted to federal taxes rather than supporting practitioners. The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act would eliminate this inefficiency, allowing more resources to address the shortage.
The bill is led by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and has garnered support from over 100 organizations, including the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, and Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.
Additional cosponsors include:
John Boozman (R-Ark.), Agriculture Committee Chairman
Susan Collins (R-Maine)
Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.)
Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)
Jim Risch (R-Idaho)
Chris Coons (D-Del.)
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)
Angus King (I-Maine)
Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.)
The legislation builds on Hyde-Smith’s longstanding efforts to strengthen rural veterinary access and ensure the sustainability of livestock and agricultural industries.
