Remember when Nancy Pelose told us they had to pass the Affordable Care Act, aka ObamaCare in order to really know what was actually in the bill? Well, file this one along with all the others under... "We Told You So!".
Section 4191 of the Internal Revenue Code limits the definition of a taxable medical device to devices described in section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that are intended for humans, but does not provide that the device must be intended exclusively for humans. Under existing Food and Drug Administration regulations, a device intended for use exclusively in veterinary medicine is not required to be listed as a device with the FDA, whereas a device intended for use in human medicine is required to be listed as a device with the FDA even if the device may also be used in veterinary medicine.
In plain English, now medical devices used in veterinary medicine that cross over from human health care must be included within Obamacare’s 2.3 percent medical device tax. So with manufacturers and vets expected to hike prices to cover the tax, pet owners can expect a substantial hike in veterinary costs across the board.
Note the tax will not apply to devices used "exclusively for veterinary purposes". According to the FDA, common “dual use” ObamaCare taxable medical devices won't just stop at X-Ray & computerized imaging systems, surgical equipment and the like. The tax will also include items like examination gloves and thermometers!
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. pet owners annually invest over twelve billion dollars keeping pets healthy. Obviously a deep pocket Obama just couldn't resist.
Needless to say the biggest hit from this latest ObamaCare hidden tax will be to pet owners on fixed incomes. Struggling to make ends meet as it is, the elderly may become forced to choose between rent, food and abandoning the only companionship and unconditional love they have left.
