Really a Matter of Who Is Tanning Whom
December 24, 2009 Skin Deep You’re Going to Pay for That Tan By CATHERINE SAINT LOUIS DERMATOLOGISTS and plastic surgeons may find themselves off the hook. Last weekend, the Senate replaced a 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic procedures with one on indoor tanning services in its proposed health care bill. . . . Dr. David M. Pariser, the president of the American Academy of Dermatology, said his association proposed that an indoor-tanning tax be considered in place of the cosmetic tax, and that it contacted the offices of senators. “We made the case this will reduce health care costs by hopefully reducing skin cancer in the future — that’s the point — and also raise a little revenue now,” Dr. Pariser said.
The 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services, which the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation projects will raise $2.7 billion over 10 years (compared with the estimated $5.8 billion the cosmetic tax would have raised), is designed to offset some of the expense of providing health insurance for millions more Americans.
Which, of course, is not the point. The point is that the doctors behind cancerous failed breast-implants have passed almost $6 billion of tax on their preening services to another preening service. Hey, who cares about tanning beds, when 70% of our national drinking water is more toxic that either a nose job or a winter tan?
This would be a laugher if it weren't for the fact that, on the eve of both Christmas and passing a health-care plan, the Senate weren't busy as Santa's helpers, filling their sleigh with additional gifts and goodies. Is too much never enough for the crooks who 'legislate' on our behalf?
There's a wonderful little site called Open Secrets, that everyone who reads this blog (or passes it on) should have bookmarked. It holds both Republican and Democrat feet to the fire by laying out the special interests and money trail each and all of them bow to when creating a 2,000 page document. Check it out, often and then, often again.
Meanwhile, it looks as if a health-care bill may be passed early enough to get chucked down our chimneys just ahead of Santa. But it's going to be pretty sooty by the time it hits the rug in the living-room.
Big pharmaceutical firms are protected, along with
Health insurance companies
Hospitals
Doctors
Equipment manufacturers
When this special night of giving has faded to wrapping-paper and hysteria, the only exhausted people left with an empty bag will be Santa and we-the-people. Ho, ho, ho and a Merry Christmas to all.
And too all a good night.