Dec
11
2009
Yesterday I posted about the dangers of the so-called botox tax. I have deep reservations about the implications of a tax that incentivizes Americans to shop for medical treatment at non-medical facilities or to travel abroad to less-regulated countries for cosmetic procedures. As a practitioner and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, I know that, nationwide, many patients have average incomes, and stretch to pay for procedures critical to their well-being. I don’t think tax that is disproportionally punitive to middle-class and women taxpayers is fair.
Well, I’m heartened to see that so many Americans agree with me. According to a nationwide survey, a large majority of respondents, by a 64% – 34% margin, agree that the cosmetic medical procedures tax has no place in health care reform, since these procedures and treatments are not covered by health insurance and the tax will disproportionately impact middle class women. To read more about the survey go to http://www.prweb.com/releases/cosmetic_tax/ASPS/prweb3323094.htm
“It is clear from these results that Americans disagree with this proposed tax,” said Michael McGuire, MD, President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). “Taxing medical procedures sets a dangerous precedent by inviting the Internal Revenue Service into the physician-patient relationship, and allowing the government to make decisions regarding medical necessity.”
Plese let your Congressional representatives know about the dangers of this proposal.
Dec
10
2009
A 5% tax on cosmetic surgery has been introduced to the health care reform bill, at the last minute, as a means of financing the package, without any discussion or input from experts in plastic surgery.
Contrary to stereotypes, many of my plastic surgery patients are not wealthy. And they are disproportionately female. There is no logical reason that women and working class people should bear the burden of this reform.
I also worry that it will encourage more Americans to seek potentially dangerous plastic surgery in Mexico and other less regulated locations.
It will force doctors to play the role of tax collector. The distinctions between cosmetic and medically necessary procedures is often not clear and doctors will vary in their interpretation of whether a specific procedure is taxable.
And by taxing bonafide treatments by medical doctors, but not less-vetted treatments by cosmetologists and non-medical personnel, the government would essentially be giving a financial incentive to individuals to seek treatments using non-FDA approved substances by non-medical personnel. Charging a tax on medical procedures done in a medical facility, but not if they are done in a spa or nonmedical facility makes little sense and can lead people to compromise their treatment in an effort to save money.
This is the beginning of a dangerous slippery slope of taxing medical services. By starting with a group that is diverse and devoid of specific political representation, legislators now expect little opposition. But this effects every American in that we all expect that our medical care is not going to be taxed. What would be next?
When states have sought to tax cosmetic surgery, it has been expensive to administer and collections have fallen short of expectations. Please contact your representatives in Congress to let them know you are against the 5% tax on cosmetic surgery. Here is a link to Facebook group advocating revoval of this tax from the health reform bill
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/406288/103115277?m=71bb3202
