The theory behind a cosmetic surgery tax is that it targets the wealthy and many Americans feel people with money should use their resources to fund government programs. Regardless of your position on this issue, the simple fact is facelifts are not just for the wealthy.
A typical patient at a cosmetic surgeon's office is not living in a mansion. Most patients who seek cosmetic procedures are regular working people who want to spend a little of their hard-earned money to look and feel better. While the wealthy will bear some of this tax burden, like so many other taxes it will fall disproportionately on the middle class. By increasing the price of cosmetic procedures, many of the treatments will now be out of reach of the average American.
Luxury Taxes are Self Defeating
Economic analysts have shown the fundamental flaw with luxury taxes is they fade over time. Politicians tout how much revenue will be generated based on current use but as luxury taxes increase prices, demand drops and revenues fall. Despite this clear proof of the ineffectiveness of luxury taxes, Congress keeps passing them.
If this tax is enacted, over time fewer people will be able to afford facelifts or other cosmetic procedures. With fewer procedures done by cosmetic surgeons and less tax revenue generated, the healthcare system will be underfunded and Congress will be forced to pass some new tax in a couple of years to make up the shortfall. Instead of proposing a short-term solution, our representatives should be looking at long term sustainability.
Not Only Cosmetic Procedures Will Be Affected
The most disturbing aspect of the new "facelift tax" is that it won't affect only elective procedures. The language in the bill currently being considered by Congress is sufficiently vague that any procedure done by a cosmetic surgeon could be affected including vital reconstructive surgery.
This means the new tax could increase the price of breast reconstruction after a cancer patient receives a mastectomy. A burn victim might have to pay more for treatments intended to reduce the severe scarring. Politicians involved have insisted that is not the intent of the bill, but cosmetic surgeons and their patients are the ones who will be penalized by these misguided taxes.
It is unfair to put the bulk of the tax burden on one group of people. Healthcare is a universal problem and must have a universal solution. A Virginia Beach facelift patient should not have to shoulder more taxes than any other residents.
If you're considering cosmetic surgery, now may be the time to take action before the tax is imposed.
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