Have you heard about the “botax”—the last-minute add-on to the massive Senate healthcare proposal that would charge a 5% tax on surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tucks and Botox?
Thanks to a concerted effort by physicians and consumers, the botax has been taken out of the Senate health care reform bill—for the time being. However, it is possible that this cosmetic tax could be added back into the bill before final passage. That's why we're keeping up our efforts to voice opposition to this proposed tax.
What exactly is the botax?
The botax is a 5% tax that would apply to any cosmetic procedure received from a physician, whether or not covered by insurance, if one of its goals is to “improve the patient's appearance” and the procedure is not considered to “meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease.”
What effect would the botax have on you?
“The botax would make it harder for patients to afford everything from Mommy Makeovers and facelifts to Juvéderm—at a time when many people's budgets are stretched to the limit,” says Dr. Parungao. “Why should people be taxed for self-improvement?”
- The botax would discriminate against middle-class women. This is not a tax that would predominantly affect the wealthy. According to American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 86% of cosmetic plastic surgery patients are women—60% of whom have incomes between $30,000 and $90,000.
- The botax does not serve health care reform goals. This proposed measure would not reduce premiums, improve access to health care, make health care more affordable to the middle class or reduce the general cost of health care.
Many patients and physicians oppose the botax
A nationwide survey by Opinion Research Corporation reports that 64% of respondents believe the botax has no place in health care reform, as cosmetic surgical and non-surgical treatments are not covered by health insurance and the tax will have a disproportionate effect on middle-class women.
ASPS and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery are actively opposing this proposed tax as discrimatory, arbitrary and ineffective.
“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,” said ASPS President Michael McGuire, MD.
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