Articles
Way to go, Connecticut! Veterinary tax proposal defeated
DVM360 Magazine Veterinarians oppose efforts to expand state revenues on the backs of pet owners. A few weeks ago I highlighted a battle in the Connecticut state legislature over a sudden plan to add a 6 percent sales tax on veterinary services. The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) took the lead in opposing this bad…
Pope Francis needs a pet … seriously.
DVM360 Magazine Comments reveal lack of understanding of the human-animal bond. My 92-year-old Irish Catholic mother isn’t going to like this blog. You see, Pope Francis is her main man. But I can’t resist after reading the pope’s astonishing comments about pets and pet ownership in a recent interview. The pope apparently was shocked when…
After 2.5 years studying pet meds market, FTC calls … drumroll … for more study
DVM360 Magazine Report presents misguided conclusions but does not demand federal legislation mandating veterinary prescriptions. Report presents misguided conclusions but does not demand federal legislation mandating veterinary prescriptions. On May 27 the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) finally issued its report on pet medications stemming from its Oct. 4, 2012, workshop on the topic in…
Connecticut legislature launches veterinary sales tax effort
DVM360 Magazine Veterinarians’, pet owners’ input needed before June 3 session close date. Many state legislatures are winding down for 2015, but Connecticut threw a curve ball at the veterinary profession and pet owners as it barrels toward a June 3 end date. On April 30, the Connecticut Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding…
A peek at veterinary education and a political update
DVM360 Magazine Cushing visits five veterinary schools and notes a current quiet on the legislative front. Apologies for this blogger’s recent absence, but a delightful speaking tour of U.S. veterinary colleges has distracted me from my usual posts. Seems an opportune time to comment on recent doings. The state of American veterinary education is in…
Between extremes of states’ rights and federal power
DVM360 Magazine Egg legislation points to the need for moderation, compromise in issues where interests conflict. Defenders of democracy and the ability of voters to make good decisions usually aim for the center: the elusive midpoint between left and right, between hardcore liberals and extreme conservatives. While fringe groups grab headlines and talk show microphones,…
Human-animal bond moves to center stage
DVM360 Magazine Organization seeking congressional support from veterinarians for initiative promoting health benefits of pets. The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) just concluded a highly successful annual conference in Orlando, Florida. Besides providing thousands of hours of high-quality continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, NAVC serves as the first gathering point each year for…
Veterinary issues to watch in 2015 Congress
DVM360 Magazine Pet medications bill still kicking; new grants could provide opportunities for rural veterinarians. Congress is back in session with a new Republican majority in charge of the Senate and a White House chastened from midterm losses. So what should veterinary medicine expect? Well, animal health may not have been the fulcrum of 2014…
News attacks on ethics of veterinarians are cheap shots
DVM360 Magazine But proving that judgment is not impaired by compensation from industry is virtually impossible. The veterinary profession has endured two blistering attacks from media in the past week. The Indianapolis Star and Reuters have both accused veterinarians of being overly cozy with pharmaceutical manufacturers and imply that their judgment is impaired as a…
AVMA accreditation hearing goes according to form
DVM360 Magazine Federal government hears from critics, supporters on role of AVMA Council on Education. The U.S. Department of Education conducted a full morning of hearings on December 11 to determine whether the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education (COE) should continue to serve as the accrediting body for veterinary colleges in the United…