Possible Tax on Cosmetic Surgery Causes Controversy

Janurary 25, 2006
The prospect of levying taxes on cosmetic procedures in the state of California is eliciting a negative response from surgeons and dermatologists. Cosmetic services such as breast implants, face-lifts, BOTOX, and other injectables, which could be considered luxuries, are believed by some to warrant the same tax as any consumer product. Doctors argue however, that this method of taxing solely cosmetic procedures bears a number of substantial problems.

First off, since the cosmetic surgery industry has a considerably higher number of women cliental, the tax is inherently discriminatory against the female gender. Aside from creating a biased burden, implementing a tax on cosmetic surgical procedures also presents a complicated precedent. If the government is going to impose a tax on cosmetic procedures, where is the appropriate line drawn on other elective procedures, i.e. Lasik surgery, gastric bypasses, and other commonly sought surgeries.

“The whole concept of taxing medical care is a slippery slope,” argues Bill Seward of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “What's next? Taxing the morbidly obese? Taxes on Lasik surgery? Once the door is open, it becomes a floodgate.”

New Jersey is the only state thus far to implement the cosmetic surgery tax. Since instated, the new system has only profited the state of New Jersey an estimated $7.5 million annually, falling short of their expectations by approximately $17.5 million.

Doctors are arguing that another problem created by tax on cosmetic procedures, is determining when the service is a luxury versus a necessity. For instance, breast augmentations are often administered to women who have endured mastectomies, and lumpectomies in the event of breast cancer, making the cosmetic procedure a medical service.

Cases of BOTOX injections can be equally controversial in determining elective versus medical procedures. While many women utilize BOTOX to alleviate the signs of aging, BOTOX injections are also used in cases of cervical dystonia, or abnormal muscle contractions.

While California state official still have yet to make a decision on the cosmetic surgery and procedure tax, doctors and critics alike agree that the patients will ultimately pay the price. “If we have to pay sales tax on breast implants, we will have to pass it along to the patient,” Pamela Dipasquale, office manager for a Redland's plastic surgeon commented.

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