Advocacy

Advocacy Overview

The AKVMA represents and amplifies veterinarians’ voices to advocate on State or Federal issues that affect animal health, public health, and the veterinary profession.

State Advocacy Efforts in 2021 and 2022

AKVMA Supports HB 91 and SB 132 (Bills to exempt veterinarians from the prescription drug monitoring program).

SB 132

Click Here to Keep Current on Our HB 91 and SB 132 Advocacy Efforts

The PDMP for Alaskan Veterinarians is:

UNUSABLE
NOT PRACTICAL OR EFFECTIVE
CREATING UNECESSARY BUSINESS BURDENS
ADDING COSTS

Why It Makes SENSE to Exempt Veterinarians from the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

Sample Letters to Use in Contacting Your State Senator and Representative

Find your legislators at akleg.gov (look for “who represents me” at the bottom of the page and type in your address)

Alaska State Legislator Contact List (has mailing information and phone numbers)

To email your senator:
Senator.FirstName.LastName@akleg.gov
To email your representative: Representative.FirstName.LastName@akleg.gov

Sample Letter to Your Senator (downloadable Word document)

Sample Letter to Your Representative (downloadable Word document)

Sign the Petition to Exempt Veterinarians from the Alaska PDMP – Click Here

State Advocacy Efforts in 2020

AKVMA provides comments to DHHS Vaccine Task Force and Alaska COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee

The AKVMA respectfully requests that veterinarians and veterinary staff be included as a recipient group during Phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Veterinarians and veterinary staff have and will continue to provide essential critical infrastructure health services during this pandemic. As essential health care workers, veterinarians are responsible in safeguarding our food animal supply and ensuring the health of our pets to protect the public against the spread of zoonotic diseases.

12.24.2020 Copy of written comments

AKVMA opposed Mat-Su proposed ordinance change “OR 20-102” re: regulation euthanasia changes 24.15.080 Euthanasia

11.30.2020 Written Comments Submitted

Proposed Regulations Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Animal Health (18 AAC 36): Proposed Revisions to Animal Care, Animal Importation, and Disease Control

09.21.2020 Written Comments Submitted

Board of Veterinary Examiners’ Proposed sections 12 AAC 68.075. Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship and 12 AAC 68.990 Telemedicine Services

06.02.2020 Written Comments

Proposed Licensure Fee Increases

March 27, 2020 – AKVMA sent a letter to the Alaska State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing to OPPOSE the licensure fee increase to $625 for veterinarians for all or part of the initial biennial license period (12 AAC 02.350 (4)) and also oppose the increase in the biennial licensure renewal fee to $625 (section 12 AAC 02.350(5)).

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)

AKVMA initiated legislation to provide for an exemption for veterinarians to participate in the PDMP in Alaska. Due to the COVID-19 response the Alaska legislature was not able to act on HB 184. New legislation will need to be reintroduced in another legislative session to seek an exemption of veterinarians from the PDMP.

Federal Advocacy Efforts in 2020

Docket #: FDA-2018-D-4533 CVM #256 – Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug Substances

10.15.2020 Written Comments Sent to the Food and Drug Administration

AKVMA Signs On To Healthy Dog Importation Act H.R. 6921

AKVMA has signed onto the support of this legislation for improved dog importation standards to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases impacting animal and human health. The legislation promotes a collaborative inspection process where the USDA, CDC and CBP work together to ensure imported dogs are healthy and will not pose a threat to our country. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.