Senate Bill 8 offers incentives for vets in rural communities

SANTA FE – A bill to create a veterinary medicine loan repayment program is headed to the governor's desk after passage by the New Mexico House and Senate.

Senate Bill 8 provides student loan debt relief to veterinarians who commit to practicing in the state of New Mexico. The bill is tailored toward food animal veterinary care to ensure that livestock receive a higher
standard of care.

Veterinarians who commit to providing full-time veterinary services for a minimum of four years in specific underserved counties across New Mexico may apply.

Many rural and frontier areas in New Mexico face significant challenges with access to veterinary care, which can adversely affect the health of local livestock and food production.

"We are committed to the ongoing implementation of loan repayment programs for New Mexico professionals," said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. "The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program will address the shortfall of food animal veterinarians in the state and encourage these professionals to remain and practice in underserved areas throughout New Mexico."

The enactment of the loan repayment program will offer a necessary incentive for those veterinarians who received training in food animal veterinary medicine and demonstrate the ability and willingness to engage in this specialized field. These professionals will provide essential veterinary care to food animals, which is crucial for both animal health and public safety.

"Food animal veterinarians are critically important across New Mexico," stated  Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte. "This bill is a great step toward helping attract veterinarians in rural areas of our state and provide services where they are so badly needed."

For more information about other loan repayment programs in New Mexico, visit www.hed.nm.gov
or call the state's Financial Aid Help Line at 800-279-9777.