I don't think I am the only parent who has struggled with the cost of putting braces on children with crooked teeth. Back in the age of dinosaurs, when my children wore braces, the cost of braces was about the same as the cost of tuition for a year in a state college. I suspect both prices have gone up since then. But braces are a major expense, and many families choose to spread that expense over a number of months. In the future, that may get interesting.
Today The Hill reports that dentists may be affected by the financial reform legislation now moving through Congress.
According to the article:
"Dentists could fall under the Senate financial bill because they often allow patients to pay in installments, Graham said. According to a 2009 ADA survey, roughly half of dentists offer this type of billing for three or four months.
"Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee, told Dodd it was "more than likely" that small healthcare practices, including dentists and physicians, would fall under the scope of the new regulator. She noted a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) decision that dental and law practices were considered creditors as an example of regulators crafting broad interpretations."
I rather doubt Congress intended to impact dentists with this law, but the fact remains that they did. One of the major forces at work in Washington under this Congress is the law of unintended consequences. Our legislators are passing laws, and Congress has no idea whom they will impact or how. The healthcare legislation was the poster child for this problem; now the financial reform act may run a close second.
The campaign season has begun. Primaries were held in various states today. I think we need to send the current Congress home before they can do any more damage. Leave my children's teeth alone!
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