PLASTIC SURGEONS OPPOSE PROPOSED COSMETIC SURGERY TAX SAY IT DISCRIMINATES AGAINST PATIENTS MARKS FIRST TIME COUNTRY TO LEVY TAX ON PATIENTS FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES
This week, democratic leaders in the Senate unveiled their proposal for overhauling the health care system, which included a new 5% tax on elective cosmetic procedures. Senate Democrats argue that the tax, which was a surprise addition to the sweeping 2,074-page bill, will generate $5.8 billion over the next 10 years to be put towards the bill’s estimated $849 billion price tag. However, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) oppose this tax as discriminatory, arbitrary and ineffective.
What’s at stake? This is a discriminatory tax. According to the Aesthetic Society Annual Statistics, 91% of all cosmetic procedures are requested by women . This will not have considerable consequences on the wealthiest patients but, as usual, affects the middle class. Working women, soccer moms, and scores of others who carefully save and budget to improve their appearance and self esteem will be penalized for doing so. Procedures such as breast reduction that have been cited in the literature for improving self esteem and quality of life would be taxed as well. This provision places physicians in the role of tax collector and holds physicians liable should an individual fail or refuse to pay the tax. Is that the relationship you want with your medical provider?
Medical care should not be used as a tool to fix broken finances. As doctors our first concern always needs to be patient health and safety.
Please help us stop this silly and penetrative tax. To find your State Senator please click here:http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm We urge you to personally inform the government that you are against this tax – together we can fight for your right to no government interference in medical care and stop this discriminatory measure against women!