Protest the Botax

HEALTHCARE PLAN IN THE SENATE TODAY WILL UNFAIRLY DISCRIMINATE AGAINST YOU!

Our plastic surgery practice is advocating against a proposal that impacts every patient who invests in treatments like Botox or a tummy tuck. Page 2045 Sec. 9017 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes an excise tax on elective cosmetic medical procedures, commonly called the "Botax."

This would be the first time the United States levies a tax on patients for medical procedures. Women would shoulder the majority of the burden because they currently represent about 91% of cosmetic patients. Middle-class families that save for years to afford a confidence-boosting surgery would be penalized, while the wealthiest patients would hardly feel the change.

• This is a discriminatory tax. According to the Aesthetic Society Annual Statistics, 91% of all cosmetic procedures are requested by women.
• This will not have considerable consequences on the wealthiest patients but, as usual, affects the middle class. Working women, soccer moms, and scores of others who carefully save and budget to improve their appearance and self esteem will be penalized for doing so.
• Procedures such as breast reduction that have been cited in the literature for improving self esteem and quality of life would be taxed as well
• Your doctor as tax collector: This provision places physicians in the role of tax collector and holds physicians liable should an individual fail or refuse to pay the tax. Is that the relationship you want with your medical provider?

Please help us stop this punitive tax. To find your State Senator please click here: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/elected-official-map

We urge you to personally inform the government that you are against this tax -- together we can fight for your right to no government interference in medical care and stop this discriminatory measure against women.

Sincerely,

Grady B. Core, MD, F.A.C.S
Medical Director, Core Plastic Surgery
3595 Grandview Parkway, Suite 150
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 397-2100

If you have questions about the proposal or want to discuss treatment plans before any legislation changes, contact our team. We are here to advocate for you and keep you informed.