Another tax increase hidden in ObamaCare

I was just reading the text of the proposed changes to the Healthcare reform bill. Hidden in the middle of dozens of pages is this gem:

IN GENERAL.—There is hereby imposed on the sale of any taxable medical device by the manufacturer, producer, or importer a tax equal to 2.9 percent of the price for which so sold.

Well guess what, people - Mr. Obama & company may have backed off on the 10% cosmetic surgery tax, but he's still sticking it to you with a 2.9% tax on implants and surgical supplies.

That's in addition to the additional 3.9% tax you'll be paying for any investment income. So, if you invested and "saved your pennies" like an honest, hard-working American, you might be penalized up to 6.8% for your cosmetic surgery!

This tax also would apply to pacemakers, stents, heart valves, cataract lenses, artificial hip & knee implants, motorized wheelchairs, and implantable defibrillators. As if these things weren't expensive enough!

It's the "Son-of-Bo-tax". Boo!!!

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