Health Care Reform Hits Cosmetic Surgery - Take the Poll

Most people in the U.S. agree that we need some sort of health care reform. It's how we go about -- and more importantly, how we fund it -- that is the big question dividing us into separate camps.

One revenue source currently on the table is adding a 5% tax on all cosmetic surgery. Such a tax has been proposed in numerous states over the years and rejected after examining the feasibility. The only state to approve such a tax has been New Jersey (which boasts the highest overall tax burden per capita in the nation). Critics in the state say the tax has failed to realize expected profits, and point out that the bill now faces opposition from the same legislators who approved it in the first place.

Not surprisingly, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) has issued a press release opposing the new tax. "Activating a cosmetic surgery tax is not the solution to funding a health care overhaul," states AACS Immediate Past President Dr. Steven Hopping.  AACS arguments against the cosmetic surgery tax include the following points:

• A tax on elective cosmetic procedures is an unreliable, risky revenue source that has no proven record of raising projected revenues.
• The difficulty of defining elective vs. medically-necessary cosmetic surgery. There is a blurry line between what procedures are considered medically-necessary and those that are elective.
• Retention of highly-skilled physicians is at risk. Physicians face many challenges in operating their practices on a day-to-day basis.  Turning them into tax-collectors is an additional burden on these doctors.
• Cosmetic surgery is not a specialty for only the wealthy or the vain. In fact, the median income for those electing to have cosmetic surgery is dropping.
• Despite the fact that more men are seeking cosmetic procedures than ever, the largest portion of patients are still working women, who would be unfairly targeted by such taxes.
• A large portion of those being taxed would be the baby-boomer generation. And as this age group continues to age, the more interest will be generated in cosmetic procedures. It is important to note that the age bracket are most likely to vote in elections is the same as those who are electing to have cosmetic procedures.

Personally, I'm not sure if I buy into all of those arguments. On one hand, cosmetic surgery is not a necessity. On a $10,000 face lift, 5% is an extra $500. The tax on a new pair of breasts, on average, would be about $300. If you can't afford the new tax, the answer is simple: Don't have the surgery. But ah, there's the rub. If fewer people end up having cosmetic surgery due to the tax, then both the anticipated revenue and the economy pay the price.

What do you think? Is is a risky move to burden an already-flailing business (and current statistics do say that the business of cosmetic surgery is having trouble in this economy) with a brand new tax? Is an extra $500 going to make a difference to those who who have been saving up to pay a doctor to turn back the hands of time? Do you worry that doctors might start cutting corners to be able to keep their fees the same and stay competitive? Does patient care suffer? Or do you think anyone who is having surgery for vanity's sake should be willing to chip in to help pay for reform that will help people with legitimate medical needs?

Weigh in on the poll and share your reasons for your answer.