The US Congress is working on a bill that would address the "severe lack" of veterinarians that are trained in public-health and safety. HR 2999 would provide scholarships, loans and fellowships to encourage the growth of veterinarians at the federal level. The programs would fall under the purview of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Recent public safety scares such as the swine flu outbreak highlight the need for veterinary expertise at the federal level. The bill would establish a new Division of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health (DVMPH). Cost seems to be the biggest obstacle to passage, the first bill to address the shortage of DVMs failed to pass because of its $1.5-billion price tag. It is hoped this latest bill will be an easier sell to lawmakers because of its incentive and cost structure.

You can learn more about the bill here.