Senate Dems propose a 5% cosmetic surgery tax
As part of the 2000 page Senate proposal for health care reform released today, Senate Democrats are proposing a 5% tax on cosmetic surgery. More details can be read in the New York Times report (here). The way this proposal is worded, non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox, Restylane and Juvederm, laser treatments and pretty much any cosmetic treatment performed by a licensed professional would be taxed as well.
We've talked about cosmetic surgery taxes before, pointing out how they are unfair to consumers. (see earlier blog here).
Why? Because they are a tax primarily on women, who represent 90%+ of our cosmetic surgery patients - and it's unfair and unconstitutional to disproportionately tax a single group. It's sexist!
Also, this is not a "tax on the rich" - the vast majority of our patients are average, middle-class Americans who are simply trying to fix a physical feature that bothers them.
Although the patient would be taxed, get this, according to the proposal, the physician would be financially liable if the tax were not paid. Unbelievable!
You can read the actual text of the bill here (click for link)
If you would like your voice to be heard about this tax on women, please contact our Democratic State Senator for Florida, Senator Bill Nelson at:
716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5274
billnelson.senate.gov
We've talked about cosmetic surgery taxes before, pointing out how they are unfair to consumers. (see earlier blog here).
Why? Because they are a tax primarily on women, who represent 90%+ of our cosmetic surgery patients - and it's unfair and unconstitutional to disproportionately tax a single group. It's sexist!
Also, this is not a "tax on the rich" - the vast majority of our patients are average, middle-class Americans who are simply trying to fix a physical feature that bothers them.
Although the patient would be taxed, get this, according to the proposal, the physician would be financially liable if the tax were not paid. Unbelievable!
You can read the actual text of the bill here (click for link)
If you would like your voice to be heard about this tax on women, please contact our Democratic State Senator for Florida, Senator Bill Nelson at:
716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5274
billnelson.senate.gov
Labels: bo-tax, botox, cosmetic surgery, healthcare reform, juvederm, restylane, tax
posted by Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC at
4:37 AM
Copyright © 2009 Plastic Surgery in Florida. All Rights Reserved.
2 Comments:
Thanks for the link. I'll do some research and contact Senator Bill Nelson.
You are right on. This is a ridiculous tax. It will raise very little money, but just picks on a vulnerable group: middle-aged, middle-class women hoping to look a little better while they compete with younger ladies for scarce jobs.
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