arcvetservices.com Blog

Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposal to add a sales tax on veterinary services

CVMA ACTION ALERT:
Governor Schwarzenegger recently announced his plans to add a sales tax on veterinary services as part of his budget plan to stimulate the California economy. This was part of a larger combination of program cuts and revenue increases to solve the multi-billion dollar budget shortfall. It is particularly disturbing that veterinary services were included with “appliance and furniture repair, vehicle repair and golf.” All of the other healing arts professions were excluded from the sales tax proposal.
A special session of the Legislature must be convened to approve the Governor’s plan. The proposal would need to be approved by the Legislature with a two-thirds majority of both the Assembly and the Senate.
The CVMA is strongly opposed to this proposal. Our legislative team has been working hard to get sales tax on veterinary services removed from the Governor’s proposal. We know you are concerned for the welfare of your patients, the difficult choices your clients may need to make if the cost of veterinary care increases, more animals being abandoned to shelters, increased euthanasia, and the overall strain placed on small businesses.
It is imperative that the voice of the veterinary profession is heard with respect to this important issue. We urge you to write personal letters to the Governor, your state representatives and their leadership expressing your concerns. We also encourage you to get your clients involved and ask them to write letters as well. It is easy to do. View the CVMA Fact Sheet and contact information. Visit the Legislative Action Center for contact information for your state representatives.
Your letter should be mailed directly to the Governor with copies forwarded to key members of the Legislature, including your local representatives. The letter should be on your practice letterhead, and if possible we would appreciate it if you would fax the CVMA a copy of your letter as well at (916) 646-9156.
If you have any questions, please call the CVMA office at 1(800) 655-2862.
Thank you for your assistance,
William Grant II, DVM
CVMA President

Veterinary Clinical Trails are Needed to Promote Evidence Based Medicine

clipped from veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com

Sep 1, 2008By: Dawn Merton Boothe, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP VETERINARY MEDICINE

Clinical trials constitute the cornerstone of evidence-based medicine. They are a part of a broader realm of clinical research,
which determines the safety and efficacy of diagnostic or therapeutic interventions and examines their impact on at-risk patient
populations. Most commonly, clinical trials compare therapeutic interventions between at least two sample populations. Other
examples of clinical research include observational studies (e.g. case reports; case series; and epidemiologic studies, such as adverse event reporting) and field trials (large clinical
trials).

However, clinical research struggles for acceptance in veterinary academic and private practice environments. Yet, we can
improve this vital part of veterinary medicine in several ways.

Former University Of New Mexico Veterinarian Claims Malicious Treatment

clipped from www.kvia.com

Judge dismisses suit by former UNM veterinarian

Associated Press – November 2, 2008 6:45 PM ET

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – A former University of New Mexico veterinarian who alleges he was forced to resign after reporting illegal animal research has taken his case to an appellate court in Denver.

U.S. District Judge James Parker has ruled that Daniel Theele failed to show a valid claim for retaliation for freedom of speech.

Parker also ruled UNM regents were entitled to immunity under the 11th Amendment.

Theele — who once headed UNM’s Animal Resource Facility — sued regents and two faculty members in March 2007.

He claimed malicious accusations were made against him after he reported alleged animal abuse.