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Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act

USA119th CongressHR-8473| House 
| Updated: 4/23/2026
Nicholas J. Begich

Nicholas J. Begich

Republican Representative

Alaska

Agriculture Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Indian Health Service (IHS), to provide public health veterinary services to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations. These services are intended to prevent and control zoonotic diseases , such as rabies, in areas where the risk of disease occurrence in humans and wildlife is endemic. Public health veterinary services encompass a range of activities including spaying and neutering, diagnosis, surveillance, vaccination, and other measures to reduce disease transmission or antimicrobial resistance. To facilitate these services, the Secretary may assign veterinary public health officers from the Commissioned Corps and coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Agriculture. The bill also requires a biennial report on the use of funds and services provided under this program. Additionally, it mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study on the delivery and efficacy of oral rabies vaccines for wildlife in Arctic regions connected to Tribal communities, and amends the "One Health" framework to include the Director of the Indian Health Service.
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Timeline
Dec 15, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-620
Held at the desk.
Apr 23, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 23, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • December 15, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-620
    Held at the desk.


  • April 23, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 23, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act

USA119th CongressHR-8473| House 
| Updated: 4/23/2026
This bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Indian Health Service (IHS), to provide public health veterinary services to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations. These services are intended to prevent and control zoonotic diseases , such as rabies, in areas where the risk of disease occurrence in humans and wildlife is endemic. Public health veterinary services encompass a range of activities including spaying and neutering, diagnosis, surveillance, vaccination, and other measures to reduce disease transmission or antimicrobial resistance. To facilitate these services, the Secretary may assign veterinary public health officers from the Commissioned Corps and coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Agriculture. The bill also requires a biennial report on the use of funds and services provided under this program. Additionally, it mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study on the delivery and efficacy of oral rabies vaccines for wildlife in Arctic regions connected to Tribal communities, and amends the "One Health" framework to include the Director of the Indian Health Service.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Dec 15, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-620
Held at the desk.
Apr 23, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 23, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • December 15, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-620
    Held at the desk.


  • April 23, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 23, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Nicholas J. Begich

Nicholas J. Begich

Republican Representative

Alaska

Agriculture Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted