Physician says reform bill punishes small business

Nakia Bonvillain
December 22, 2009
Julia Esponge
December 28, 2009
Nakia Bonvillain
December 22, 2009
Julia Esponge
December 28, 2009

Dear Editor:


As the owner of the Wall Center for plastic surgery in Shreveport, La., we find ourselves possibly facing higher taxes for owning a small business. The current bill will also cause our patients to pay more for our services through an “elective” medical procedures tax.


As the expense of obtaining procedures increases, more patients will be priced out of the market. This will force small medical offices like ours to eliminate additional staff to reduce expenses. We employ around 40 staff members, 12 of these being full-time with health care benefits. If this bill passes, we may be forced to offer even our part-time employees’ insurance. How will anyone be able to stay in business?

This new tax will not only impact patients of cosmetic surgeries, but may include ALL “elective” procedures: from reconstructive surgery, to mole removal, to gastric bypass and even circumcisions to name a few. The line between “cosmetic” and “reconstructive” surgery is not always clear and leaves the decision of medical necessity up to tax auditors – a completely inappropriate proposition.


Contrary to popular belief, cosmetic surgery is no longer an exclusive luxury afforded by the very wealthy. The ASAPS found that 86 percent of cosmetic surgery patients are working women, and that 71 percent of plastic surgeries are for individuals making less than $60,000 a year.

Most importantly, 40 percent of the 60 percent reported income of $30,000 to $60,000. This data clearly refutes the suggestion that elective surgery taxes are “luxury” taxes affecting a privileged few.

Drs. Simeon Wall Sr., Holly Casey Wall and Simeon Wall Jr.,

The Wall Center,

Shreveport, La.