A dog owner was surprised after her veterinarian posted a notice to her Facebook page warning customers of the rising costs they will encounter due to Obamacare, CBS Miami reports.
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.”
In order to help pay for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the new health reform will include a 2.3 percent excise tax on certain medical devices. Manufacturers of the instruments pay the tax, but a recent survey found more than half plan to pass it along.
“I’m extremely concerned how this is going to be a hidden tax to our consumers that is going to be passed on,” veterinarian Mike Hatcher told CBS.
Medical devices meant only for animals are exempt from the tax, but other instruments that can be used for pets and humans, such as IV pumps, scalpels and anesthesia equipment will be subject to the rule.
“Putting off an equipment purchase is something that can terribly affect our clients’ ability to have quality care,” Dr. Hatcher added.
CBS reports that sources who worked on Obamacare said lawmakers tried to exclude vets from being affected, but it turned out to be too complicated.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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