CO: Oppose Efforts to Restrict Access to Vet Care!

Proposed Bill to Block Access to Remote Vet Care

ASPCA Position: Oppose

Sponsors: Rep. McCormick

The Colorado General Assembly is planning to introduce a bill in January that will restrict access to remote veterinary appointments by requiring in-person exams.

This could not happen at a worse time for Coloradans. The state is facing an unprecedented veterinary shortage, and more than half of Colorado pet owners report that they are unable to access veterinary care. This proposed bill would further limit treatment options for pets throughout Colorado.

Video calls with veterinarians from the comfort of a pet’s home can help treat a host of ailments and expedite routine, preventive services, and this option should be available broadly to all families and Colorado-licensed vets.

Please join the ASPCA Mobile Action Team to receive updates about this bill and other actions you can take to improve laws for animals.

Why Veterinary Virtual Care Is Important

Veterinary telemedicine is a lifeline for pet owners who live in remote or underserved areas, struggle to afford vet care, or who face other obstacles such as work schedules that conflict with normal clinic hours. Pets who are large, frightened of going to the vet, a little spicy with other animals or difficult to transport benefit immensely from better access to virtual care.

The veterinary industry is facing a critical shortage of professionals in the workforce. As we have seen in human medicine, expanding access to video telemedicine helps patients get seen despite workforce shortages and other barriers to healthcare.

Advocacy Alert

Your Message

Subject Oppose Proposal to Block Access to Virtual Veterinary Care

Dear Legislator,

Message

As a resident of Colorado, I urge you to oppose the bill proposed by the Water Resources and Agricultural Review Interim Committee that would restrict access to virtual veterinary care at time when Colorado’s pet owners need it most. This bill would require an in-person examination for all clients.

The veterinary industry is facing a serious shortage of professionals in the workforce. As we have seen in human medicine, telemedicine can help bridge gaps in care created by workforce shortages and other barriers.
Veterinary telemedicine is an indispensable tool for Colorado residents who use video technology when they face challenges getting their pets to a clinic due to disability, transportation issues, or because they live in rural or underserved areas.

While this bill is purported to expand the use of veterinary telemedicine, restrictive language mandating that a veterinarian-client-patient-relationship be established through an in-person exam would create a new barrier to accessing veterinary care and take Colorado veterinary regulations backwards at a time when we need every tool available to improve access to vet care.

One-third of Colorado pet owners face difficulties accessing veterinary care for their pets. Please oppose legislation that prevents Colorado’s families from readily accessing the safe and convenient benefits of veterinary telemedicine.

Thank you for your time and consideration of my position.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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