The 2020 Advocacy Summit took place on Thursday, March 5 as part of our annual conference. Eighty-three advocates went to Capitol Hill, meeting with their Senators and Representatives from 26 states. The group met with more than 30 members of Congress, as well as key staff. The top three issues this year were: 1) Support for the Advancing One Health Through Emergency Preparedness Act (HR 3771 and S 1903 2) Support for increased funding for Section 1433 Animal Health and Disease Research and 3) Support for the America Grows Act, (HR 4714 and S 2458). Three additional cosponsors were added to HR 3771, and one to S 1903. HR 4714 added one cosponsor. We are also currently working closely with Congressman Kurt Schrader’s office to add the language of the Support for the Advancing One Health Through Emergency Preparedness Act to the next Coronavirus response package of legislation.

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On March 27, the President signed into law H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The bill provides more than $2.2 trillion in emergency federal assistance to individuals, businesses, and states, among others. There are several important ways this legislation will impact AAVMC members. Important provisions include loans to small businesses, charitable contributions, scholarships and other impacts on the health workforce, student educational loans, and emergency funding for colleges and universities. Click here to learn more.

Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations work is still being done by Congress, although it has been delayed somewhat by the need to respond to the current pandemic. AAVMC continues working to advance our priorities, including $9 million for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, $2.5 million for the Veterinary Services Grant Program, $10 million for the Formula 1433 Animal Health and Disease Research program, and at least $450 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).

As part of the CARES Act, Congress elected to reauthorize for the next five years (2021-2025) several of the Healthcare Workforce programs, known as Title VII and Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act. These programs in particular are designed to address current and emerging health care challenges by supporting the development of a healthcare workforce prepared to face the challenges presented by COVID-19, both now and in the future.

The AAVMC has partnered with the Riley Foundation to advocate for American agriculture. The effort urges House and Senate Budget writers to provide the highest possible allocation for the FY 2021 Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees. This is the beginning of the process that ultimately sets spending priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.