ELKINS, W.Va. – A doctor based in Elkins called for the abolition of sales tax on female products. Dr. Anne Banfield, OB-GYN and director of women’s health services at Davis Medical Center, believes taxes on feminine products negatively affect the hygiene of low-income households.
Dr. In particular, Banfield believes that women’s products and other need-based medical products, such as adult diapers, should not be subject to an additional tax on sale. Many states across the country followed this custom, but West Virginia is not on this list. She felt that the people who buy these products are not doing so as a luxury, but out of a need that is beyond their control. So they shouldn’t be punished for something they can’t control.
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“Similar to the fact that we don’t put sales tax on food people buy in a grocery store, why are we taxing people on products they really need?” said Banfield.
In addition to the fact that groceries are not taxed, West Virginia does not levy sales tax on medicines. Banfield believes that women’s products should follow the same guidelines.
In recent years, West Virginia lawmakers have debated implementing a law that would abolish sales tax, but it was not passed.