Veterinary Workforce Act Offers $100K in Loan Relief for Rural Service

March 25, 2025

Helena, MT – Today, March 25, Representative Randyn Gregg (R – White Sulphur Springs) introduced the Rural Montana Veterinary Workforce Act, House Bill 860, to help address Montana’s veterinarian workforce shortage. 

“We not only have a shortage of medical physicians in rural Montana, we also have a veterinarian workforce shortage in the state,” said Representative Gregg. “My bill provides an incentive for students pursuing doctor of veterinary medicine (DMV) degrees to practice in an underserved area of Montana after they graduate from veterinary school.” 

Under House Bill 860, beginning in academic year 2025-2026, four DMV students may apply to participate in a veterinary training loan program. Each student selected to participate in the program will be entitled to receive up to $100,000 to pay down the costs of their loans. In exchange, after earning a veterinary degree, each participant agrees to practice for four years in Montana in areas deemed to be underserved. This competitive program will be administered by the Commissioner of Higher Education. The Commissioner currently administers the Montana Rural Physician Incentive Program (MRPIP). 

The Act gives preference to Montana residents enrolled in an accredited program and establishes a seven-member advisory committee. The committee is authorized to provide input about the program to the Commissioner, including establishing and maintaining criteria for areas in Montana to be designated as underserved.

A recent study by the Access to Veterinary Care Project found that 38 of Montana’s 56 counties have a veterinary workforce shortage. Further, Montana is one of the 47 states identified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with rural veterinary shortage areas. Counties in Montana with veterinary shortages include Rosebud, Treasure, Beaverhead, Madison, Musselshell, Roosevelt, Valley, Daniels, Sheridan, Lewis & Clark, Powell, Jefferson, Park, Sweetgrass and Wheatland.

This initiative comes at a pivotal time, as Montana is preparing to welcome a new veterinary school. The incoming program will provide more opportunities for students to pursue veterinary medicine within the state, and the Rural Montana Veterinary Workforce Act ensures that those graduates have a pathway to serve communities in need.

Representative Gregg added, “By enacting the Rural Montana Veterinary Workforce Act, the Legislature will help ensure that Montanans in underserved areas have improved access to veterinary care, protecting our animals and agricultural economy.”