2.3% Hike on Medical Devices
Another unintended consequence of the sequester may affect your pet's next trip the vet office due to a new excise tax on medical devices which went into effect as part of Obamacare.
“There are a lot of products that have uses both on the human side and veterinary side,” says Dr. Mark Lutschaunig at the American Veterinary Medical Association. “So those taxes on the manufacturer will be applied when a veterinarian buys a piece of equipment.”
Lutschaunig says that wasn't the law's intent, but it is the reality.
“If its a human device there will be a 2.3% excise tax on it,” he tells KTRH News. “So our concern is, when our veterinarians do buy these devices that tax will be passed on to them.”
Pet care is expensive enough, Lutschaunig fears any little increase will scare pet owners away. He suggests pet health insurance, or working out a payment plan if a vet visit becomes too costly.
