Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act

senate

house

president

Introduced on May 16, 2024 by Lisa Murkowski

Cosponsors

Legislation Details

Establishes the “Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act” to provide public health veterinary services to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations for rabies prevention and other purposes.
Recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health in Native communities and the need for holistic approaches to improve health outcomes.
Addresses the lack of veterinary care in Native communities, which increases the risk of zoonotic diseases, dog bites, food insecurity, and mental health issues.
Highlights the high incidence of dog bites and hospitalizations among Alaska Native children and the occurrence of rabies and canine distemper outbreaks in Alaska.
Notes the absence of public health veterinarians in the Indian Health Service to combat zoonotic diseases and improve public health preparedness.
Authorizes the Secretary, through the Indian Health Service, to provide public health veterinary services including spaying, neutering, diagnosis, surveillance, and vaccination to prevent and control zoonotic diseases.
Involves deploying veterinary public health officers from the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service to Service areas.
Requires coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Secretary of Agriculture in carrying out these services.
Mandates a biennial report to various Senate and House Committees on the use of funds, deployment of veterinary public health officers, monitoring and surveillance of zoonotic diseases, and related services provided.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study within one year on the delivery of oral rabies vaccines to wildlife in Arctic regions of the United States, evaluating vaccine efficacy and recommending improvements for vaccine delivery.
Amends the Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act to include the Director of the Indian Health Service in the One Health framework, emphasizing collaboration across sectors to address health threats.

Last updated 8/8/2024