The 2.3 percent medical device excise tax that’s been in Washington’s crosshairs the past few weeks is adding up to expensive veterinary bills, NPR reports. Because many devices used on animals are human medical devices, the tax gets passed on to veterinarians and then on to pet owners. If the devices aren’t labeled specifically for veterinary use, it’s taxed. Since the recession began, vets have seen a downturn in patients. This plus the tax might lead vets to forego new or updated equipment.
“That may sound trivial but if a device costs $30,000 to $40,000, it is not a trivial expense,” one veterinarian said to NPR.
