Have you heard of the cosmetic surgery tax which was part of the recent Senate Health Reform bill?
At the 11th hour, a cosmetic surgery tax provision was slipped in the Senate Health Reform bill. The proposal asks for the consumer who undergoes an elective cosmetic procedure, to pay a 5 % tax to the government for any procedure like Botox, Fillers, Breast Augmentations and Lifts, Tummy Tucks, Facelifts and Body Contouring. However, the bill states that even insurance covered procedures may be taxed! Will our senators and representatives also tax breast reconstruction and the opposite breast for procedures that help create symmetry? This proposal has been named the “Botax”.
New Jersey has had such a “Botax” tax for a few years and to date it has not generated income for that state government, instead it has cost the state administrators $3 dollars for every $1 of revenue. In New Jersey the consumer has been burdened with increased taxes during this deep recession. Please contact your representatives and senators to voice your opinion about this ill conceived new proposed Cosmetic tax. The U.S. Capitol switchboard is 202-225-3121 where you can be connected to your Senators and Representatives. NOTE: You must know the name of your Senator and representative prior to calling the switchboard; this information can be found at www.senate.gov (scroll by state). For Illinois they are:
Burris, Roland W. - (D - IL) Class III
387 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2854
Web Form: burris.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm
Durbin, Richard J. - (D - IL) Class II
309 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2152
Web Form: durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm
You can determine the name of your representative by going to www.house.gov where you can enter your zip code. It is Mark Kirk for 60093. The Senate Health Reform Bill requires a well thought out “reconstructive” effort not a quick fix which will only hurt or adversely effect our already struggling economy. Please call, write and email now to voice your opinion!
Tell Your Senators and Representatives to Oppose the Cosmetic Surgery Tax –
Call Early and Often and Don’t Forget to Send an E-mail
As you know, at the 11th hour, a cosmetic surgery tax provision was slipped in the Senate Health Reform bill. We need you to help us fight this tax that makes physicians tax collectors and burdens our patients.
What You Can Do
Take action today and tell your Senators and Representatives that medical care should be not be used as a tool to fix broken finances. Contact your Senators and Representatives and request they oppose a cosmetic tax. Additionally, have your patients contact their members of Congress as well!!
Effective ways to reach your Members of Congress include:
1. Call your Senators and Representative’s District Office this week. Most legislators are home this week for the holiday break. Visit the plastic surgery action portal at http://www.capitolconnect.com/asps/login.aspx to obtain your Senator’s district office contact information. Once you log in, go to my profile and then the legislators tab.
2. Call Your Senator and Representative’s Washington, DC Office (early and often). Visit the plastic surgery action portal at http://www.capitolconnect.com/asps/login.aspx to obtain your Senator’s D.C. office contact information. Once you log in, go to my profile and then the legislators tab.
3. E-Mail Your Senators. Click on the take action box after logging on to the plastic surgery action portal http://www.capitolconnect.com/asps/login.aspx and urge your Senators to oppose taxing elective medical procedures. Feel free to use the sample letter, but please personalize the letter with your own experience and patient stories.
4. Patients: Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard 202-225-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senators and Representatives. NOTE: You must know the name of their Senator prior to calling the switchboard; this information can be found at www.senate.gov (scroll by state). You can determine the name of your representative by going to www.house.gov and entering your zip code.
Read more here: Doctors Ask: What Do You Mean, Cosmetic Tax?
