[House Report 111-634]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 111-634
======================================================================
VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2010
_______
September 28, 2010.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Waxman, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 2999]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was
referred the bill (H.R. 2999) to amend the Public Health
Service Act to enhance and increase the number of veterinarians
trained in veterinary public health, having considered the
same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend
that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Amendment........................................................ 2
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Committee Consideration.......................................... 3
Committee Votes.................................................. 3
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations................. 3
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 4
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 4
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 4
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits............................. 4
Federal Advisory Committee Statement............................. 4
Applicability of Law to the Legislative Branch................... 4
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 4
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 4
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................ 5
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 6
Explanation of Amendments........................................ 6
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 6
Amendment
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterinary Public Health Amendments
Act of 2010''.
SEC. 2. INCLUSION OF VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH IN CERTAIN PUBLIC HEALTH
WORKFORCE PROVISIONS.
(a) Public Health Workforce Grants.--Subsections (b)(1)(A) and (d)(6)
of section 765 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295) are
amended by inserting ``veterinary public health,'' after ``preventive
medicine,'' each place it appears.
(b) Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program.--
(1) In general.--Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section
776(b)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295f-
1(b)(1)) are amended by striking ``public health or health
professions degree or certificate'' each place it appears and
inserting ``public health (including veterinary public health)
or health professions degree or certificate''.
(2) Technical correction.--Subparagraph (A) of section
776(b)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295f-
1(b)(1)) is amended by adding ``or'' at the end.
(c) Definition.--Section 799B of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 295p) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(27) Veterinary public health.--The term `veterinary public
health' includes veterinarians engaged in one or more of the
following areas to the extent such areas have an impact on
human health: biodefense and emergency preparedness, emerging
and reemerging infectious diseases, environmental health,
ecosystem health, pre- and post-harvest food protection,
regulatory medicine, diagnostic laboratory medicine, veterinary
pathology, biomedical research, the practice of food animal
medicine in rural areas, and government practice.''.
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 2999, the ``Veterinary Public Health Workforce and
Education Act'', was introduced on June 23, 2009, by Rep. Tammy
Baldwin (D-WI), and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
The goal of H.R. 2999 is to help increase the number of
veterinary public health professionals. The bill provides
resources toward that end.
Background and Need for Legislation
Veterinary medicine is an important component of our public
health system.\1\ Veterinarians protect human health through
early detection and response to disease events that can be
linked to newly-emerging infectious diseases, such as SARS or
West Nile Virus. They can also assist in the response to
threats, such as the 2009 H1N1 (flu) outbreak.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\World Health Organization Study Group on Future Trends in
Veterinary Public Health, Future Trends in Veterinary Public Health
(2002).
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There are critical shortages of veterinarians working in
public health disciplines. A February 2009 report from the
Government Accountability Office warns that ``there is a
growing shortage of veterinarians nationwide, particularly of
veterinarians who care for animals raised for food, serve in
rural communities, and have training in public health.''\2\
Furthermore, the report states that the ``veterinarian shortage
is expected to worsen'' even as ``the demand for veterinarians
is expected to increase.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\Government Accountability Office, Veterinarian Workforce:
Actions Are Needed to Ensure Sufficient Capacity for Protecting Public
and Animal Health (Feb. 4, 2009) (GAO-09-178).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since 1967, the Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA) and its precedent organizations, have
administered programs supporting health professionals,
including public health professionals. Section 765 of the
Public Health Service Act (PHSA) currently provides authority
for the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) to award grants to, or enter into contracts
with, training institutions to increase the number of
individuals in the public health workforce; to enhance the
quality of the workforce; and to enhance the ability of the
workforce to meet national, state, and local needs.
Additionally, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
(P.L. 111-148) authorized a new loan repayment program in PHSA
Section 776 to support public health professionals that serve
in federal, state, local, and tribal public health agencies.
While veterinary public health professionals are not excluded
from participation in these programs, their participation is
not explicitly required or permitted.
Committee Consideration
H.R. 2999, the ``Veterinary Public Health Amendments Act of
2010'', was introduced by Ms. Baldwin of Wisconsin on June 23,
2009, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The
bill was subsequently referred to the Subcommittee on Health on
June 24, 2009. On September 15, 2010, the Subcommittee held a
legislative hearing on the bill. The Subcommittee met in open
markup session to consider H.R. 2999 on September 16, 2010. An
amendment in the nature of a substitute (manager's amendment)
by Ms. Baldwin was adopted by a voice vote. Subsequently, H.R.
2999 was favorably forwarded to the full Committee, amended, by
a voice vote.
On September 23, 2010, the Committee on Energy and Commerce
met in open markup session to consider H.R. 2999 as approved by
the Subcommittee on Health. An amendment offered by Ms. Baldwin
was adopted by a voice vote. Subsequently the Committee ordered
H.R. 2999 favorably reported to the House, amended, by a voice
vote.
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list each record vote
on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto. A
motion by Mr. Waxman ordering H.R. 2999 reported to the House,
amended, was approved by a voice vote. There were no record
votes taken during consideration of this bill.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives,
the oversight findings and recommendations of the Committee are
reflected in the descriptive portions of this report, including
the finding that there are shortages of veterinarians working
in public health disciplines.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
Regarding compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of
the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds
that H.R. 2999 would result in no new budget authority,
entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the performance goals and
objectives of the Committee are reflected in the descriptive
portions of this report, including the goal of increasing the
number of veterinary public health professionals.
Constitutional Authority Statement
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that the
constitutional authority for H.R. 2999 is provided under
article I, section 8, clauses 3 and 18 of the Constitution of
the United States.
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits
H.R. 2999 does not contain any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in
clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
Federal Advisory Committee Statement
The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish
or authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within
the definition of 5 U.S.C. App., section 5(b) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act.
Applicability of Law to the Legislative Branch
Section 102(b)(3) of Public Law 104-1 requires a
description of the application of this bill to the legislative
branch where the bill relates to terms and conditions of
employment or access to public services and accommodations.
H.R. 2999 contains no such provisions.
Federal Mandates Statement
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974 (as amended by section 101(a)(2) of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, Public Law 104-4) requires a
statement on whether the provisions of the report include
unfunded mandates. In compliance with this requirement the
Committee adopts as its own the analysis of federal mandates
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
regarding H.R. 2999.
Committee Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the
cost estimate of H.R. 2999 prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(3) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has
received the following cost estimate for H.R. 2999 from the
Director of Congressional Budget Office:
September 24, 2010.
Hon. Henry A. Waxman,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2999, Veterinary
Public Health Amendments Act of 2010.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Lisa Ramirez-
Branum, who can be reached at 226-9010.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf.
Enclosure.
H.R. 2999--Veterinary Public Health Amendments Act of 2010
Under current law, the Health Resources and Services
Administration is authorized to provide loans or grants to
certain individuals or entities with the goal of increasing and
improving the public health workforce. H.R. 2999 would amend
the Public Health Service Act by providing access to those
programs for certain veterinary health professionals and
educational organizations. The bill would allow entities that
provide education and training in veterinary public health to
apply for and receive grant assistance from the Public Health
Workforce Grant program. In addition, the bill would allow
certain individuals that will receive or have received a degree
in veterinary public health to apply for and receive loan
assistance under the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment
program.
Based on the cost of changes in eligibility for grants and
assistance in similar programs, CBO estimates that implementing
H.R. 2999 would have a negligible impact on federal spending
over the next five years; any additional spending would be
subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Enacting
this legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues;
therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
H.R. 2999 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. State
and local governments, including public institutions of higher
education that provide education and training in veterinary
public health, would benefit from expanded eligibility
authorized in the bill.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Lisa Ramirez-
Branum. This estimate was approved by Holly Harvey, Deputy
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 designates that the short title may be cited as
the ``Veterinary Public Health Amendments Act of 2010''.
Section 2. Inclusion of veterinary public health in certain public
health workforce provisions
Section 2 clarifies that ``veterinary public health''
professionals are intended to be included among the health
professionals for purposes of two PHSA sections. The first
provision, PHSA section 765, currently provides authority for
the Secretary of HHS to award grants and contracts to eligible
entities to increase the number of individuals in the public
health workforce, to enhance the quality of the health
workforce, and to enhance the ability of the health workforce
to meet national, state, and local needs. The second provision,
PHSA section 776, provides for a loan repayment program for
public health professionals. Section 2 of the Act clarifies
that veterinary public health professionals are considered
public health professionals for the purposes of both PHSA
section 765 and PHSA section 776.
Section 2 also defines ``veterinary public health'' to
include veterinarians engaged in one or more of the following
areas to the extent such areas have an impact on human health:
biodefense and emergency preparedness, emerging and reemerging
infectious diseases, environmental health, ecosystem health,
pre-harvest and post-harvest food protection, regulatory
medicine, diagnostic laboratory medicine, veterinary pathology,
biomedical research, practice of food animal medicine in rural
areas, and government practice.
Explanation of Amendments
During the Subcommittee on Health markup of H.R. 2999, Ms.
Baldwin of Wisconsin offered an amendment in the nature of a
substitute (manager's amendment), which was adopted by a voice
vote. During full Committee consideration of H.R. 2999, Ms.
Baldwin offered a technical amendment to the bill as amended by
the Subcommittee on Health, also adopted by a voice vote. The
substance of each amendment is reflected in the section-by-
section analysis contained in this report.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT
* * * * * * *
TITLE VII--HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION
* * * * * * *
PART E--HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE
* * * * * * *
Subpart 2--Public Health Workforce
SEC. 765. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) * * *
(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant or
contract under subsection (a) an entity shall--
(1) be--
(A) a health professions school, including an
accredited school or program of public health,
health administration, preventive medicine,
veterinary public health, or dental public
health or a school providing health management
programs;
* * * * * * *
(d) Activities.--Amounts provided under a grant or contract
awarded under this section may be used for--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(6) the retraining of existing public health workers
as well as for increasing the supply of new
practitioners to address priority public health,
preventive medicine, veterinary public health, public
health dentistry, and health administration needs;
* * * * * * *
Subpart 3--Recruitment and Retention Programs
* * * * * * *
SEC. 776. PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.
(a) * * *
(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to participate in the
Program, an individual shall--
(1)(A) be accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as
a student in an accredited academic educational
institution in a State or territory in the final year
of a course of study or program leading to a [public
health or health professions degree or certificate]
public health (including veterinary public health) or
health professions degree or certificate; and have
accepted employment with a Federal, State, local, or
tribal public health agency, or a related training
fellowship, as recognized by the Secretary, to commence
upon graduation; or
(B)(i) have graduated, during the preceding 10-year
period, from an accredited educational institution in a
State or territory and received a [public health or
health professions degree or certificate] public health
(including veterinary public health) or health
professions degree or certificate; and
* * * * * * *
PART F--GENERAL PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
SEC. 799B. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title:
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(27) Veterinary public health.--The term ``veterinary
public health'' includes veterinarians engaged in one
or more of the following areas to the extent such areas
have an impact on human health: biodefense and
emergency preparedness, emerging and reemerging
infectious diseases, environmental health, ecosystem
health, pre- and post-harvest food protection,
regulatory medicine, diagnostic laboratory medicine,
veterinary pathology, biomedical research, the practice
of food animal medicine in rural areas, and government
practice.
* * * * * * *