States need to have better regulations and if regulations are in place, states need to enforce them, Dr. Weiss commented.
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March 2007She also believes that patients should be more proactive in checking credentials and training of physicians and not agree to be treated by non-physicians who are not supervised by an experienced and well-trained physician.
NJ Governor Vetoes Repeal of Cosmetic Surgery Tax
Weeks after the state legislature unanimously passed legislation to repeal the state’s gross receipts tax on cosmetic surgery, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine vetoed A-2282 on January 26; as of press time, supporters of the legislation were considering their options. The tax was enacted in June 2004 to help balance the state budget but the bill’s sponsors said its effect was to push consumers to go to states without the tax for cosmetic surgery.
Gov. Corzine, in his veto statement, noted that the tax generated $10 million for the state’s charity care program in 2006. I cannot support repealing this tax, midway through the fiscal year, without establishing an alternative revenue stream to support charity care, he said.
As part of advocacy efforts in support of the tax repeal, more than 60 New Jersey surgeons used the Surgery State Legislative Action Center (www.facs.org /sslac/index.html) to contact the governor’s office.
©2007 The Triological Society