Concern for HB 325 / SB 390 – Provision of Veterinary Services – Routine Medical Care and Rabies Vaccines

Subject: Significant concerns about {INSERT BILL}

Date 00, 2023

Dear {INSERT SPONSORING MEMBER NAME},

I’m writing today as a concerned veterinarian within the state of Maryland regarding {INSERT BILL}.

As written, this bill will allow veterinarians from any state to practice within Maryland making it effectively impossible to enforce the Maryland practice act. Furthermore, it virtually invalidates the need for a Maryland veterinary license. In addition, it takes an unprecedented step to effectively neutralize the ability of the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (SBVME) to regulate veterinarians practicing within the state. It is dangerous and it does nothing to address a perceived veterinary shortage.

Shelter animals and citizens of Maryland who require financial assistance are worthy of quality veterinary care. They should not be subjected to services rendered by an unchecked, unregulated veterinarian as a matter of convenience. Creating financial incentives to support those services would be a far better legislative initiative.

The SBVME has an excellent track record of regulating veterinary medicine in our state, punishing bad behavior and it will restrict licensure only when an individual applying has demonstrated a prior disregard for the safe practice of veterinary medicine. Removing the regulatory guardrails that prevent low quality medicine and allow veterinarians to operate in Maryland with impunity would be a dire miscalculation.

Sincerely,

{YOUR NAME}

About MDVMA
The Maryland Veterinary Medical Association (MDVMA) is MD’s only statewide professional membership organization that has the interests of the veterinary medical profession as its sole objective. MDVMA’s mission is to serve as the leader and resource for the Maryland veterinary community through advocacy, education, communication, and support for the advancement of veterinary medicine. Concern for the health and welfare of animals is fundamental to the duties of veterinarians. The core documents that express these duties include  Veterinarian’s Oath , the  Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics , and the  AVMA Animal Welfare Principles. Veterinarians’ work spans everything from agriculture and the critical safety of our animal and plant food supply, to the scientifically proven health benefits of the bond between pets and people.