McCormick: Ballot question not the solution to rural vet shortage

Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Dist. 11, said the frustrating thing about the possibility of the veterinary professional associate or VPA being created via ballot proposal is the lack of research and expertise at play. If passed, Colorado Proposition 129 would allow non-veterinarians to diagnose, prognose, recommend treatment plans and perform surgeries. The measure is vehemently opposed by veterinary groups nationwide.

McCormick, a veterinarian and Colorado state representative from Boulder County, brought two veterinary bills before the legislature last year that were eventually signed into law, but both of those were introduced only after years of research and stakeholder input.

“We listened, we learned, we asked, we had hundreds of hours of listening to experts, including several veterinary economists who study trends and finances in veterinary medicine across the nation,” McCormick said. “We talked to the head of veterinary medicine at the FDA, the USDA. We’ve talked to many universities with veterinary programs, accreditation teams, the veterinary liability insurance providers, professional organizations that represent our veterinarians, as well as our registered vet techs, nonprofits, private practice owners, and rural voices.”

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