John Burns, MD

The proposed cosmetic surgery tax will unfairly target women which represent 86% of this targeted tax demographic.  This tax was a surprise addition to the 2,074 page Senate vesion of the Health Care Bill.  The statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that 60% of those seeking elective cosmetic procedures report an annual household income of $30,000 - $90,000 and 40% with an income of $30,000 - $60,000.  Clearly, what is intended to tax the "rich" is really targeting women who by any definition are not wealthy. 

This tax was tried in New Jersey and failed.  The Democratic State Sen. Joe Cryan, sponsor of the original New Jersey bill for cosmetic surgery tax, publically admitted it was a bad idea and later introduced a repeal of the tax.  Eight other states who were considering cosmetic taxes ultimately rejected the tax.

The line between cosmetic and reconstructive procedures will be very difficult to interpret and the final decision will be made by state tax auditors who have no medical training to base their decision on.  This tax will be a potential auditing nightmare  and implementation of the tax will require an inordinate amount of time with questionable return. 

The concept of what could be considered cosmetic is also a slippery slope with many "grey" areas:  teeth whitening, medically based skin care, hair restoration, dental restoration, hair removal, cosmetics, weight loss and nutrition, etc., etc.

Please speak up now again this biased and unfair legislation. 

www.capitolconnect.com/asps/login.aspx