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URGENT TENNESSEE UPDATE
Reported by Mona Sappenfield

Described as a "runaway grease fire", the med spa legislative issue is heated again.

1) The Cosmetology Board is taking the position that they will "read" my proposal and discuss changing cosmetology laws for Modern Aesthetics on the August 6, Cosmetology Board Meeting in Nashville. If your business is affected by erasing the Aestheticians' occupation beyond facials and waxing, then you should request to speak at this board meeting. Our board's position today is that they do not want to have anything to do with regulating lasers.
1-Aestheticians are NOT represented on the TN Cosmetology Board. You need to get active or "get educated in another career" as the CHAIRMAN stated to ME on Monday.
-2 Lobbyist from a private group in Nashville and one med spa owner attended last Monday's Cosmetology Board Meeting .

2) The Senate Resolution voted on by Senator Henry and the 8 members of the 2012 Senate Health Committee to regulate med spas and laser use has been signed by Lt. Gov Ramsey. A task force is forming NOW with TN Dept of Health, TN Board of Medical Examiners, an 1 Member of the TN Board of Cosmetology (that I learned that the TN Cosmetology Board Member will decline any part of regulating lasers). This Senate Resolution was enacted because 2012 Legislation did not get the job done. Senator Henry proposed the Emergency Resolution to protect public health.
- Senator Ophelia Ford was the only one on the Health Committee that voted against this action. She proposed that the Cosmetology Board be a part of the regulatory force in an attempt to help our cause.
- Senator Jim Kyle fought hard for this action NOT to happen even though he was not on the health committee.

3) Senator Jim Kyle's staff is gathering more information for me. I have asked his staff to get me on the Task Force. I have also asked Ms. Beverly Waller, TN Cosmetology Board Director to allow me to represent the board as a consultant. I have not been contacted by anyone yet.

4) I have calls in to Senator Mark Norris and he has yet to return my call. If you can help here, I have been told that he can get me on this task force.

5) Lobbyist, Nathan Green has been hired by the International Aesthetic and Laser Association (Ideal Image and Sona MedSpa have been pro-active with hiring lobbyist). My resources tell me that Mr. Green will represent their interest on the Task Force.

6) The 8 Section Notebook of information that I sent to the TN Cosmetology Board is attached.

7) "As a practical matter, moving cosmetic and aesthetic procedures to "medical only" would not do the job of protecting citizens from poorly-trained laser operators. It would simply make sure that aesthetic and skin care business is funneled to doctors' offices - creating an industry monopoly and cutting off access to these procedures to many people.
While certainly it is important to require extensive training and industry-wide certification, it is ludicrous to suggest that only doctors or physicians' assistants are capable of undergoing such training.
Do our legislators really want to participate in killing the livelihoods of thousands of estheticians across the state?
It's fairly obvious why the TMA is pushing so hard for this bill. The practice of medicine is not as lucrative as it once was, and naturally doctors want to be the only source for esthetic treatments. The anti-aging industry is a billion dollar concern.
As a longtime consumer, I suggest that fair competition is a better solution.

Enact standards for all. But, please, do not give one group an unfair advantage over others. If anything competition will ensure that Tennessee consumers have access to the best esthetic treatments, at the best price."

If you agree, get active TODAY!

Mona Spa and Laser Center
5101 Sanderlin Center Suite 102
Memphis, TN 38117
C: 901-569-9346 E: spmona@me.com