The Senate Finance Committee is considering implementing a 10% excise tax on cosmetic surgery that is deemed unnecessary for medical purposes. The revenues will be used for US health care reform efforts. But it is now facing resistance from physicians, whose service will be affected by the tax.

The Botox Tax will include all cosmetic surgery procedures categorized under Section 213 of the Tax Code, which covers eligible and non-eligible itemized deductions for medical expenses. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication includes “any procedure that is directed at improving the patient's appearance and does not meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease.” 

Procedures that will be affected by this tax include liposuction, face lifts, tummy tucks, breast augmentation, Botox, and other cosmetic procedures.
Concerned physicians are fighting the potential tax. They have even organized a formal opposition to block its implementation.

An online petition from www.nobotax.com is protesting the proposal and calling for more support from industry physicians, professionals, and patients. They say that the tax will target the wrong demographics. Namely: women and the middle class, and medical professionals. The site encourages visitors to leave their names to pledge support for the cause. Visitors can also leave comments and concerns about the tax on the Web page.

Nobotax.com is sponsored by Web to Med, a Web site design and Internet marketing company.

Source: SkinInc.com