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What Cosmetic Procedures Will be Affected by the Botax?
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The U.S. Senate’s new health reform bill proposes a 5% tax on many popular cosmetic procedures and is expected to bring in about $60 billion over the next ten years. The “Botax” sparked a lot of debate in late 2009, with critics stating that it is actually a discriminatory tax because it will primarily affect middle aged mothers who make a modest income. The Botax has become a part of the new Senate bill for 2010, and was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid D-Nev in late 2009.
What is the Botax?
The proposed Senate health care bill will include a 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic surgery for collagen injections, face lifts, tummy tucks, breast implants and even teeth whitening procedures. Many of these procedures are popular options for women between the ages of 21 and 35 years, who make an income of between $30,000 to $60,000 per year, so critics of the tax believe this group will be most affected by the change.
Plastic surgeons have launched several campaigns against the tax, arguing that they are still just getting through the effects of the recession and the tax will only make matters worse. Both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery are opposed to the proposed Botax.
Dr. Angela Cuzalina, a cosmetic surgeon based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the president-elect of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery also points out that “You’d be surprised how price sensitive people are to this…It’s a tax against women and the baby boomer generation having these procedures.” (Source: KaiserHealthNews.com)
Consider the following statistics from a survey of people planning on having cosmetic surgery in the next few years:
- More than 70 percent of cosmetic surgery clients make less than $60,000
- Approximately one-third of clients make less than $30,000 per year
- Almost 85 percent of cosmetic procedures are purchased on credit
(Source: Slate.com)
Procedures Affected by the Botax
As of 2009, the following cosmetic procedures would be affected by the Botax:
- Botox
- Dermal fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane and Hydrelle
- Skin tightening procedures such as Thermage, Titan and Refirme
- Face lift surgery
- Teeth whitening treatments
- Lip augmentation
- Liposuction
- Breast implants
- Body reshaping procedures such as VelaShape and VelaSmooth
- Fractional laser resurfacing such as Fraxel and the Erbium laser
- Cellulite treatments
- Fat injections
- Rhinoplasty (nose jobs)
- Dermabrasion
- Full body lifts
- Facial implants
- Tattoo removal procedures
Some health care professionals and plastic surgeons see some loopholes in the proposed bill, pointing out that some patients that may require cosmetic procedures after insurance-approved surgery such as bariatric surgery may not need to pay the Botax. However, the Senate has yet to make a formal statement on who specifically would be responsible for paying the extra tax.
More information about the Botax controversy and recent news on the bill can be found on the Cosmetic Surgery Today blog.
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Published: 12/11/2009, Last Updated: 12/11/2009
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics obtained from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.
Related Subjects and Keywords: botax cosmetic surgery tax elective surgery tax botax news cosmetic procedure tax cosmetic surgery news
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