Cosmetic Surgery Tax Dropped in Favor of Tanning Tax

Senate leaders have reportedly dropped the so-called Botax from the healthcare reform bill. Interestingly, they decided to trade one controversial tax for another; they’re replacing the elective cosmetic tax with a 10% tax on indoor tanning!

John Overstreet of the Indoor Tanning Association reportedly accused plastic surgeons of “throwing the tanning industry under the bus by transferring a tax from rich doctors and their wealthy customers to struggling small businesses.”

I sympathize with owners of small tanning salons that barely break even, but this argument is weak for two reasons:

1. Accusations should be directed at lawmakers – not cosmetic surgeons or the industry in general.

2. Cosmetic surgery patients aren’t all wealthy and doctors aren’t all rich; these terms are relative of course, but most people consider incomes of 30-90k a year to be middle-class.*

“Botox has no health benefits.”

“The irony is that ultraviolet light at least has proven health benefits where botox treatments have none” Overstreet reportedly said.

Botox is considered a cosmetic and therapeutic treatment, and it’s quite versatile. Physicians use it to treat muscle spasms, hyperhidrosis, headaches, and of course facial wrinkles.  Feeling good and looking good are health benefits, aren’t they?

Read more:

• CNN Money
• NY Daily News Blog.
• * See patient statistics from the ASPS