Posts Tagged ‘elective procedure tax’

Senate Drops Cosmetic Surgery Tax – Considers Indoor Tanning Tax

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Reports over the weekend say the Senate has dropped the elective cosmetic tax from the tanning_taxhealthcare reform bill, but strangely, they decided to trade one controversial tax for another;  a 10% tax on indoor tanning is now being considered as another method of financing healthcare reform.

Of course just as representatives from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and other groups spoke out against the elective cosmetic tax, people from the Indoor Tanning Association (a colorful group I’m sure) are publicly opposing the tax. Their executive director says the tanning industry and the many small businesses that make it up, have been “thrown under the bus.”

Some are calling it a great idea, citing the health risks of tanning and its widespread appeal among young people.  What’s your opinion?  Is tanning such a risk that we should implement taxes to discourage it?  What if small business owners are forced to close shop?

Read more: CNN – Cosmetic Surgery Tax Out: Tanning Tax In

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‘Tis the Season for Interesting Links

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Thinking about gifting cosmetic surgery? Dr. Mark Berman of the American give_me_giftsAcademy of Cosmetic Surgery offers some advice:  “Make sure you’ve discussed the idea in the past so it doesn’t come as a surprise.”  Read: ‘Tis the season for gifting cosmetic surgery

As word spreads about the proposed cosmetic tax, surgeons in New Jersey (where a tax already exists) and elsewhere are voicing arguments against it, some of which are downright scathing. Read: Breast Enlargement Tax That Failed in Jersey Taints U.S. Plan.

Employees at a British clinic show off cosmetic surgery results in a 2010 calendar.  “The calendar is tongue-in-cheek, but tasteful. It features girls from across our company of all ages and they all look amazing.”  Read and see slideshow: Cosmetic Surgery calendar girls: The Sun News

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Cosmetic Surgeons in the U.S. Opposing New Tax

Saturday, November 21st, 2009

The elective procedure tax we wrote about last July is now part of the latest healthcare reform bill and could be implemented as early as 2010.  The tax is a 5 percent charge on any procedure, administered by a licensed medical professional, that isn’t necessary to ameliorate a disease, injury or congenital deformity.

Cosmetic and plastic surgeons have offered strong objections to the bill. One such objection is that women, the predominant consumers in this industry, will pay the projected 5 billion dollar revenue almost entirely. The tax is “discriminatory” and therefore, “the wrong way to raise money to pay for expanding health care.”

Others, such as the ASPS, are trying to draw attention to the fact that cosmetic surgery procedures are not a luxury for the rich and famous, but services primarily purchased by the middle class.

A recent press release said the following:

In a 2005 ASPS survey of people planning to have cosmetic surgery within the next two years, 60% of respondents reported an annual household income of $30,000-$90,000 a year. Most importantly, 40% of those reported a household income of only $30,000-$60,000. Only 10% of respondents reported a household income of over $90,000, which clearly refutes the suggestion that elective surgery taxes are “luxury” or “sin” taxes affecting a privileged few.

Follow the links below to learn more about the elective cosmetic medical tax.

  • Nasdaq.com: US Cosmetic Medical Market Faces New Challenge in Senate Bill
  • Bnet: Why Allergan and Medicis Should Embrace Botox Tax

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