This year has been a tough one for the Rushing family.

"They're not beating down the door to get in here right now,” said Brian Rushing, owner of A Touch of Sun.

While the economy hit them this year, they fear the worst could be still to come.

Karen Briscoe has been a tanning client for two or three years. But, as the timer counted down the minutes on her session on Monday, another was counting down in Washington D.C. -- for the Senate to pass health care reform. And the package now contains a 10-percent tax on indoor tanning.

"Everyone is getting a bailout except those paying taxes,”

Last year, Touch of Sun rang up $44,000 in services. Given the 10-percent figure, they'd have to pay Uncle Sam another $4,400 in taxes.

"Hiring anyone new -- that's gone,” said Rushing. “I think all of these taxes are crazy.”

Dr. Raffaele Pennela says this one makes some sense, given the connection between UV exposure and skin cancer.

“It will cost the government more money to care for these people who tanned decades ago,” said Pennella, a dermatologist for St. John’s Health System.

Some think it will disproportionately affect women, though. Numbers indicate one third have hit the tanning beds before age 30. However, it won't likely discriminate on income level.

"Our clients are waitresses,” said Rushing. "All of these taxes go against what our president said he was going to do -- not taxing anyone who makes less than $250,000. All of these taxes hit the majority of people."

Briscoe says paying an extra fifty cents for a $5 service would make her think twice.

"Instead of tanning once a week, I'd go every two,” she said.

That kind of response has the Rushings worried about the years ahead.

Because services aren't taxed, it would be up to the businesses whether they would absorb that tax or pass it along to customers. Also, it's important to note, spray tanning would not be included in the tan-tax.