Plastic surgeons in the U.S. have responded strongly against the proposed elective cosmetic medical tax that was revealed Wednesday, labeling it discriminatory, arbitrary, and ineffective.

Details about the bill are below:

”SEC. 5000B. IMPOSITION OF TAX ON ELECTIVE COSMETIC MEDICAL PROCEDURES.
”(a) IN GENERAL.-There is hereby imposed on any cosmetic surgery and medical procedure a tax equal to 5 percent of the amount paid for such procedure (determined without regard to this section), whether paid by insurance or otherwise.
”(b) COSMETIC SURGERY AND MEDICAL PROCEDURE.-For purposes of this section, the term ‘cosmetic surgery and medical procedure’ means any cosmetic surgery (as defined in section 213(d)(9)(B)) or other similar procedure which-
”(1) is performed by a licensed medical professional, and
”(2) is not necessary to ameliorate a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or disfiguring disease.

Statistics on plastic surgery have shown that 86 percent of these elective procedures are purchased by women, and most of them have a yearly income ranging from $30,000 to $90,000 a year.

Thus, many surgeons are calling the tax discriminatory and an unfair imposition on the middle class.