California proposes sales tax on veterinary care
By Gina Spadafori
November 7, 2008
Nothing shows the gap in understanding between people who think pets are family and people who think pets are just another piece of property than the proposal in California to tax veterinary services. From The Dog Channel:
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a plan Thursday that would extend sales tax to include veterinary services, among other services, to help fix the state’s $11.2 billion shortfall.
“We have drastic problems that require drastic and immediate action — we must stop the bleeding right now,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement.
Hawaii, New Mexico, and South Dakota are the only states that tax veterinary medical services, including routine exams and vaccinations, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s state tax summary report. While California does not tax ancillary services, such as grooming and boarding, or prescription medications, it does tax non-prescription products, as do 33 other states.
Now, I have no problem putting a sales tax on non-prescription products, and on services such as grooming if services such as getting your drain unclogged by a plumber are also taxed (not sure if they are, but I’ll be finding out this morning, alas). But veterinary services? These should be off the tax table, along with prescription drugs.
Not only because I believe pets are family — which I do — but because veterinarians are an important part of the entire healthcare system, and need to be acknowledged as such. Threats to human health often start in animal populations, from viruses to tainted food. We need to keep our veterinarians as part of the public health team, and we don’t need any more barriers to keeping people from taking their pets in.
On the road again: In a little while I’m heading to Southern California (yes, again). No hob-nobbing with billionaires and fast racehorses this time: McKenzie and I will be trying to wrap up her junior hunter title at a two-day hunt test (wish us luck!), and Drew is going along for the ride. We’ll be staying with Audrey Pavia, my friend and co-author, and her wonderfully funny husband Randy. Audrey is the author of many books, including “Horses For Dummies,” “Horseback Riding For Dummies,” and two co-authored with me and Dr. Becker: “Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?” and our brand new “The Ultimate Horse-Lover.” I doubt they’ll be time for riding, but there certainly will be time for giving peppermints to Audrey’s horses.
Good Luck McKutie!
Comment by Lori — November 7, 2008 @ 7:49 am
Great! One more reason not to take your animal to the vet. There’s some smart thinking going on there. (Sarcasm, I has it.)
Comment by C.L.H. — November 7, 2008 @ 10:02 am
I saw this in the newspaper this morning, and I was flabbergasted. It’s not just about pets — our state’s livestock need veterinary care as well. So, on top of a shortfall in large animal vets, they’re now proposing to make care more expensive? Brilliant. Just when the skyrocketing costs of feed and fuel have reduced the profit margin for our ranches and farms too, and we’ve demanded that many of them retool to provide more humane conditions.
Comment by Eucritta — November 7, 2008 @ 11:24 am
We’ve had sales tax on vet care for years here in Canada. It enrages me that because I have to spend a lot (usually) of money for medical care for my pets, I have to pay the govt on top of that for the privilege. I suppose it is a privilege to own a pet.
Good point about farmers, Eucritta you, your food costs are about to soar in CA because of Prop 2 anyway and this tax won’t help.
We pay tax on services here, so if I get my house drywalled, I pay provincial sales tax (8%) on the materials and the federal sales tax (now 5%, formerly 7%) on the labour.
It’s our GST, the federal goods and services tax, el rippo grande.
Our social programs, good roads, etc, cost money so they wring it out of us any way they can.
On the upside, you get used to it after awhile and it just becomes part of the cost of doing business. Pretty funny that Ahnuld, the raging Republican, would copy a left-wing idea.
Comment by Caveat — November 7, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
Caveat, you’re assuming it will pay for added social services, but it won’t. The Governator is in fact true to form: the increase in sales taxes both in total and in scope is coupled with, among other cuts, slashing funds to education (most heavily to K-12 grades and community colleges), health services, and aid to the disabled.
Comment by Eucritta — November 7, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
I think I’m preferring Bloomberg’s method for the moment*
He’s looking to impose a tax ($.06) on plastic grocery bags. And of course they found “that” woman on the street who thought it was wrong because “you just take the bag home and throw it away.” Hopefully she’s learned about reusable bags today!
I can’t imagine getting taxed on top of some of the vet bills I’ve had, OY! And I’m moving there . . .
*I haven’t read through his whole list of increases to make up for our WS losses yet. This one hit the news though, over property tax increases, etc. lol!~
Comment by straybaby — November 7, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
Arnold… is an idiot just like all the other legislators found out here in CA. Stop the bleeding…..try stopping the expansion of government and all the perks handed out like candy to all those that work for it! Shrink the size of government and quit using it as a “early retirement jobs program” for those incapable of working in the private sector.
First you lock in the medical prescription by tying it to a doctor and or vet visit….and then you tax the visit that is required for the drug…give me a break! There is no freedom here in the good old USA just a form of controlled deviant government fascist behaviors …nothing more. Freedom…where did it go!
Comment by Lew Orban — November 14, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
I sent a nice (?) email to Ahnuld/governator to tell him what I think about his new taxes.
Most of us can barely afford vet visits now so how many more people will be forced to give up their animals? And what about sick animals wandering around because people can’t afford to bring them in for medical care.
And then there’s the added tax on auto registration. As it is now, one can barely afford to keep registering their car. So not only will people lose their homes but may lose their cars as well…..OR we’ll have more unregistered/uninsured vehicles on the road. Like we don’t have enough now.
I asked him about reducing salaries of all the big cheeses in State government that are getting way more than they’re worth & tightening spending just like everyone else has to do right now. Wasteful spending is at an all time high…..imagine asking these jokers to cut back on their spending or take a cut in pay. Naw, that’s only for the stupid ones who elected them.
What a bummer government has become & even more depressing are those elected to represent us. Ha. The only ones they represent are themselves & their rich buddies.
Comment by JanC — November 15, 2008 @ 8:29 am
If you would like a simple way to let the governor know you are in opposition of this proposal please do following (i did!).
> Calling the Governor’s office is easy:
>
> 1) 916-445 -2841
> 2) Select your language choice
> 3) Press 5 to leave an opinion on a current hot issue
> 4) Press 1 to select the issue of extending the sales to include veterinary
> services
> 5) Press 2 to oppose this proposal
Comment by raggedy — January 28, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
After getting only a busy signal for several days, I finally got through and was able to vote on this issue. I’d love to know what the response is so far.
Comment by Kim Thornton — January 28, 2009 @ 7:19 pm
If you are on Facebook please find my “Cause” NO VET CARE TAX IN CA!
There you will find links and info on three ways to let Sacramento know how you feel!
Thanks,
Lorna
Comment by Lorna — February 1, 2009 @ 3:13 am
Can anybody refer to an actual news article? I would love to discuss this on my radio show but I cannot refer to a blog since a blog is merely someones opinion and not actual news.
Comment by Johnny Dam — February 18, 2009 @ 8:24 am
You can find out more by doing some basic reporting. Really, really basic.
For example, you can do what we did and call the California Veterinary Medical Association for an update.
Or you can use Teh Googles, which turns up quite a few articles, including in the L.A. Times and SacBee. NPR did a piece on last week, as well.
The tax on services was off the table last week, but since there is no budget agreement, that may change.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 18, 2009 @ 8:33 am