The Latest Policy Issues on the Veterinary Horizon

Mark Cushing of the Animal Policy Group recently outlined three critical policy shifts reshaping veterinary care in his May column for Animal Health News and Views. He highlighted Colorado’s trailblazing move to license Veterinary Professional Associates (VPAs)—a mid-level role akin to human healthcare’s PAs. Despite opposition from major associations, Colorado voters approved the measure, and implementation is now underway, backed by a supportive governor and initial training programs at CSU and LMU.

Cushing also raised concerns about the AVMA Council on Education’s push to limit distance learning to 15% of curricula, despite national trends favoring tech-driven education and a well-documented shortage of veterinary faculty.

Lastly, a new Gallup/PetSmart Charities survey showed 52% of U.S. pet owners have skipped or declined vet care due to cost. Cushing underscored the emerging debate over how to align veterinary services with real-world budgets—an issue that will soon reach state regulators and legislatures.