Bill To Address Veterinarian Shortage Reintroduced In Congress

Apr 04, 2025

A bipartisan bill, cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, was reintroduced in the Senate this week to address the chronic shortage of veterinary services in rural communities. Representatives introduced a companion bill in the House. The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act would allow veterinarians practicing in underserved areas to exempt student loan repayments from their taxable income. A similar provision already exists for physicians.

Almost every state faces a shortage of veterinarians in rural areas. In fact, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, which strongly supports the legislation, USDA declared 243 rural veterinary shortage areas in 46 states this year, the highest number ever. Congress tried to address this crisis in 2003 with the establishment of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, which provides student loan reimbursements to qualified veterinarians who choose to practice for three years in underserved communities. However, the program is subject to a significant federal withholding tax, which limits its benefits.

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Video: Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

In this exclusive interview from the 2025 Iowa Pork Congress Rachel Fishback and Swineweb sit down with Tim Messinger, a seasoned expert from Precision Structures Inc. (PSI) of Wellman, Iowa, to delve into the latest trends and innovations in hog barn construction and remodeling.

With nearly two decades at PSI, Tim shares his journey from draftsman to sales, highlighting the company’s comprehensive services in building farrow-to-wean complexes, finishers, and nurseries. He emphasizes the critical role of proper site layout and grading in barn construction, ensuring long-term efficiency and scalability for pork producers.

Tim also discusses the increasing importance of advanced ventilation systems and smart controllers like Maximus and AP Edge, which offer producers enhanced monitoring and control over barn environments. As construction costs have risen, PSI has seen an uptick in remodeling projects, particularly in slat replacements, roof refurbishments and barn gating remodels to extend the lifespan of existing facilities.

A key takeaway from Tim is the value of partnering with reputable builders who offer robust post-sale support. PSI’s dedicated service team stands ready to assist clients 24/7, addressing emergencies and ensuring optimal barn performance.

For pork producers looking to build or upgrade their facilities, this conversation offers valuable insights into best practices and the latest industry developments.