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House committee hears bill to fund loan repayments to place veterinarians in rural Montana
Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony supporting House Bill 860, which would create a loan-repayment program administered by the Commissioner of Higher Education to incentivize veterinarians to practice four years in designated underserved rural areas; proponents said the biennial appropriation would fund four new students per year.
Representative Greg opened the hearing on House Bill 860, calling it “a critical piece of legislation aimed at addressing the severe shortage of veterinarians in Montana, Montana's rural and underserved areas.” The bill would create the Montana Veterinary Workforce Act, a student loan repayment assistance program for veterinarians who commit to practicing in underserved rural areas for four years.
Jocelyn Cahill of Rocky Vista University College of Veterinary Medicine testified in support and described program mechanics: starting in the 2026–27 academic year the program would select up to four students annually, giving preference to Montana residents and providing up to $100,000 of support over the course of a student’s veterinary education.…
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