Mitt Romney may have tied his dog’s kennel to the top of his car and made him ride in it, but at least he didn’t make it harder for everyone else’s dog to get to the vet. The same cannot be said of President Obama and his signature legislation.
CBS Miami reports:
“Pet owners listen up: You may want to start saving more money for veterinarian care this year. The reason goes all the way back to Washington and an unintended consequence from medical reform.”
(Is there any consequence of Obamacare that wasn’t unintended?)
The report continues:
“Dog owner Lori Heiselman was surprised where her veterinarian posted a warning on Facebook.
“The notice read: ‘Because medical equipment and supplies will be going up in cost, that extra expense will have to passed on to the customers.’…
“Why the increase? [It’s] part of a new 2.3-percent federal excise tax on certain medical devices that just went into effect. The tax will help fund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, intended for people, not pets. Manufacturers pay the tax, but a recent survey found more than half plan to pass it along....
“Medical devices used only on animals are exempt. However, items including IV pumps, sterile scalpels and anesthesia equipment, which are medical devices that have a dual use, meaning they can be used on people and animals, will be taxed. [Dr. Mike] Hatcher said, ‘Putting off an equipment purchase is something that can terribly affect our clients’ ability to have quality care.’
“The American Veterinary Medical Association represents 82,000 vets. At this point, they don’t know how much this new tax will indirectly cost them. The organizations members are waiting to hear from more device makers.
“Dr. Mark Lutschaunig is the director of the Governmental Relations Division of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
‘“Congress never intended for this tax to impact veterinarian medicine and unfortunately it has, and I think that’s very unfortunate that veterinarian medicine now is subsidizing human health care,’ said Dr. Lutschaunig.”
Facebook
Twitter
