Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association: Veterinary Support for HB 5804 (March 2, 2022)

Summary

A letter dated March 2, 2022 from the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) to Jim Lilly, Chair of the House Rules and Competitiveness Committee, expressing support for HB 5804. The letter states that HB 5804 would allow expanded use of veterinary telehealth services and is in alignment with rules issued in April 2021 by the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Board of Veterinary Medicine allowing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship to be established electronically. It says the association writes on behalf of more than 250 Michigan veterinary professional members and cites a widespread veterinary professional shortage affecting rural and underserved communities. The letter urges the committee to approve HB 5804 and is signed by Barbara Hodges, DVM, MBA, HSVMA Program Director, Advocacy and Outreach.

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HUMANE SOCIETY

VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Slackwell, DVM, MPH
Knoxville, TN

Gary Block, DVM, MS, DACVIM
East Greenwich, Ri

Barry Kellogg, VMD

North Port, Fi.

Barry Kipperman, DVM,
DACVIM, MSc

San Ramon, CA

Paula Kislak, DVM

Santa Barbara, CA

Nicole Paquette, JD
Washington, DC

Gwendy Reyes-illg, DVM
Milwaukie, OR

Meredith Rives, DVM
Evanston, iL

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Holly Cheever, DVM
Voorheesville, NY
Nicholas Dodman, SVMS,
DACV8, DACVAA
Grafton, MA

Anne Fawcett, BVSc,
MVetStud GradCertEd,
MANZCV5, DIDPECAWBM
NSW, Austraila

Brenda Forsythe, MD, PhD,
DVM, CAAB

Guadalupe, CA

Zarah Hedge, DVM, MPH,
BACVPM, DABVP

San Diego, CA

Joann Lindenmayer, DVM, MPH
North Grafton, MA

Shella (O’Arpino) Segurson,
DVM, DACVB

Pleasanton, CA

Erin Spencer, M.Ed.,

CVT, VTS (ECC)

Derry, NH

March 2, 2022

Honcrable Jim Lilly, Chair

House Rules and Competitiveness Committee
374 Capitol Building

PO Box 30014

Lansing, MI 48909-751

RE: HSVMA Veterinary Support for HB 5804
Dear Chair Lilly and House Rules & Competitiveness Committee Members:

On behalf of our more than 250 Michigan veterinary professional members, the
Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) is writing to express
our support for HB 5804 which would allow for the expanded use of veterinary
teleheaith services to help care for the companion animals of Michigan families.

More specifically, HB 5804 is in alignment with the landmark rules

(R 338.4901A)} issued in April 2021 by the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Board
of Veterinary Medicine which allowed for a veterinarian-client-patient
relationship (VCPR} to be established via the use of instrumentation and
diagnostic equipment through which images and medical records may be
transmitted electronically. These rules were adopted by the Board of Veterinary
Medicine after the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association reported the
success that some veterinary practices had in offering telehealth services to
companion animals across the state.

Our country is experiencing a widespread veterinary professional shortage.
Limited access and sparse availability of appointments has intensified an already
difficult situation for people living in rural areas or in underserved communities
without access to personal transportation.

Removing barriers to veterinary services through the expanded use of
telehealth helps create equity in access to pet resources and anima! heaith
information for people living in underserved, and often overlooked,
communities. By expanding access to telemedicine, more Michiganders will be
able to obtain important veterinary services, particularly families living in
communities, both rural and urban, where there are no neighborhood
veterinary hospitals or clinics.

700 Professional Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 | P.0. Box 208, Davis, CA 95617

MD; t 301-548-7777 301-548-7726 | CA: t 530-759-8106 530-759-8116
VETERINARY MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION.

Veterinarians have undergone rigorous education and training, and we should be trusted to
exercise good judgement in our practice, including in our discretionary utilization of
telemedicine. Telemedicine and the use of electronically transmitted images and medical
records can help expand veterinary services and allow for more flexibility in treating patients,
especially those whose caregivers may have limited mobility or other transportation
challenges. While we acknowledge that a legitimate need exists for routine veterinary
consultation and treatment of non-emergent pet medical issues in person, allowing virtual care
means that more pet owners, no matter their circumstances, will be able to access vital
services and help assure the heaith and wellbeing of their companion animals.

We thank the committee for your attention to this important issue and urge the committee to
approve HB 5804. Increasing the flexibility of telehealth services can expand critical care to
people and their pets, and the outcomes have proven to be lifesaving without causing undue
harm to animal patients. These changes will bring Michigan pet owners greater access to
veterinary care for their companion animals and allow Michigan veterinarians to better serve
their communities.

Sincerely,

Barbara Hodges, DVM, MBA
HSVMA Program Director, Advocacy and Outreach

700 Professional Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 | P.O. Box 208, Davis, CA 95617

MD: ¢ 301-548-7771 301-548-7726 | CA:¢€ 530-759-9106 530-759-8116


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