Senate committee approves bill to expand veterinary telemedicine after heated testimony

The Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 5 (as amended), a measure authorizing expanded veterinary telemedicine for Arkansas-licensed veterinarians.

Sponsor Senator Ricky Hill (Senate District 11) said the bill would give farmers and ranchers in underserved parts of the state another option for animal care and argued that modern telemedicine software supports secure records, e-prescribing and remote monitoring. "If veterinarians don't want to do it, they don't have to," Hill said, arguing telemedicine would help areas with few veterinarians.

Opponents included Bruce Holland of the American Veterinary Medical Association and two practicing veterinarians, Dr. Sarah Sheddenhelm and Paul Jenkins, who warned the bill could increase risks of misdiagnosis, zoonotic disease spread and improper prescribing. Holland told the committee that out-of-state prescription operations could exploit a change allowing prescriptions without an in-person veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR). "Misdiagnosis is very much a risk," Holland said, adding that a temporary FDA enforcement change during the COVID pandemic has recently ended.

Dr. Sheddenhelm urged the committee to consider workforce effects, saying she surveyed Arkansas students at surrounding-state veterinary schools and that 31 of 35 respondents said they would be less likely to return to Arkansas if the bill passed. "This bill will greatly harm the general practitioner in Arkansas," she said, arguing that some conditions cannot be diagnosed virtually and that reduced in-state practice incentives could worsen the shortage.

Mark Lambert, state affairs director for the Arkansas Farm Bureau, testified in support, saying farm and ranch members want increased access to veterinary care and that telemedicine offers another tool for rural producers.

Hill acknowledged some risks but said telemedicine is already deployed elsewhere and that the bill would not force veterinarians to use the technology. He emphasized that telemedicine providers would remain responsible for patient care and should require in-person follow-up when necessary.

After closing remarks, the committee took a voice vote on a motion to advance SB 5. The chair announced the motion passed on a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

The committee adjourned after the vote.