Reid Proposes Tax on Cosmetic Surgery

Senator Harry Reid’s health care bill included an array of new provisions that are being scrutinized Wednesday night, but one particular tax proposal in particular already has attracted a buzz — a 5 percent levy on elective cosmetic procedures that was quickly dubbed the “botax.”

Others suggested it might better be called the “seen-in-public” option.

Hold the guffaws.

For all the instant punchlines about taxing nose jobs, breast enlargements and facelifts — cynics righteously demanded to know if members of Congress had written in an exemption for themselves (they did not) — the proposed tax is both serious and controversial policy.

It would raise an estimated $5 billion over 10 years toward the projected $849 billion cost of the health care legislation, and it is certain to be opposed by plastic surgeons and their patients.