Dear________,
HEALTHCARE PLAN IN THE SENATE TODAY WILL UNFAIRLY DISCRIMATE AGAINST YOU!
I’m writing you today about an issue that affects not only plastic surgeons but everyone who utilizes our services for anything from Botox to Tummy Tucks.
Perhaps you’ve heard of the current healthcare bill before the US Senate, Page 2045 Sec. 9017, Excise Tax on Elective Cosmetic Medical Procedures included in the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This dense legalese translates to a tax on all cosmetic procedures as partial payment for the healthcare overhaul our current administration is attempting to implement.
So what’s the problem? YOU would be paying this tax, the FIRST time this country has levied a tax on patients for medical procedures. 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
- Your doctor as tax collector: 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?
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!