Will Unintended Consequences of Health Care Law Hurt Our Four-Legged Friends?

Now that parts of the health care law are being implemented, some of the unintended consequences are beginning to surface.

According to a story on CBS out of Miami last week, some of those consequences will be felt by the country's four-legged residents. It reports on a dog owner who was surprised to find that her veterinarian has warned of an impending increase in services in the near future.

The reason? The 2.3 percent federal excise tax on medical equipment that just went into effect. This tax is to help fund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — for people. However, since medical equipment is also used to treat sick and injured animals, they too are being hit with the tax.

Animal lovers are concerned. As it is, some people don't always take their pets to a vet when the should because of the cost involved. According to the story on CBS, the higher costs are just going to make matters worse for our furry friends. There are insurance companies that carry policies to cover family pets, but it is not a widespread practice, at least not yet.

Should medical equipment for veterinary services be exempt from the tax to fund the Affordable Health Care Act? If not, should insurance plans for family pets be brought into the whole Affordable Health Care debate?