Family charged 'death tax' for baby who lived one hour

newlogin86 said on January 19, 2011 at 12:30 PM

From January 10, 2011 at 10:37 PM, and this still is on the main page as a story? The office that sends out such a fee, probably does not look at dates/age of the deceased, and its just a standard bill. Like stupid credit card companies that call to collect on $10 you owe, the same as they do with $1000. Its all computer.

ladycascadia said on January 19, 2011 at 9:45 AM

Absolutely heartless! This poor family is grieving the loss of their little one, and the government all they care about is money, money, money! Talk about literally taking a pound of flesh!

jsonya59 said on January 18, 2011 at 10:28 PM

My grandson passed away an hour or two before birth at less than 26 weeks gestation and my daughter and son-in-law had to pay a death tax for him. How much more tragic can you get. " Sorry your son died. Now pay us $50.00 so you can bury him." It is just cruel.

mountbakerite said on January 18, 2011 at 7:26 PM

Don't believe everything you read or hear by the media. They will often sensationalize or leave out key information just to make the story sound more intriguing that it really is. This is a fee charged to the funeral homes who may in turn charge the family and not a tax or fee directly charged to the family of the dead. I'm quite frankly disappointed in Elisa Hahn's reporting this time but maybe she's told by a supervisor to bend the truth a bit because it sounds so much better by changing wording around just so it can garner all of these hits to their website so you'll click on ads. I used to work in an organization that got a lot of interviews by the media. What was said in the interview wasn't always equally presented in the papers or TV. They frequently turned the story at a slight angle to make it sound better or leave key info out so what's not there is left to the audience to fill in the blanks and you know people just love a good conspiracy theory that melds into rumor.

2cents said on January 18, 2011 at 12:05 PM

If it is a tax levied against an estate of the deceased, I see no moral or ethical problems. However, if it is a tax levied against the family of the deceased, I see incredible problems. That would be immoral and unethical in my eyes.

someeasyid said on January 17, 2011 at 2:09 PM

If this is what the local news has resorted to, its no wonder I can't stand it. There is no free lunch. If you thought there was, your wrong. Even the medical examiners have to get paid...jeesh...they make it sound like they were victims of a crime, when in fact that med examiner was doing a service to the public ensuring that the cause of death was consistent with the medical record of the hospital.

pcfubar said on January 17, 2011 at 10:38 AM

to: James004 It wasn't a funeral they were paying for, it was an autopsy. Read the article.

richard056 said on January 17, 2011 at 4:48 AM

What if the medical examiner found that the baby didn't die of natural causes but because the doctor made a mistake? Do you think the parents would then object to the $50 tax to find out the real cause of death?

james004 said on January 16, 2011 at 7:04 PM

What's with all of you cheapskates? Yes, it's a sad situation. However $50 does not seem unreasonable to me. It's not an old newspaper you are throwing in the trashcan, it's a dead baby! Geez, $50 is not much to ensure that a passed human being is taken care of properly. There are real costs associated with respectfully taking care of a dead body. Do you prefer they dump it in the trash can? I'm surprised it isn't more expensive. Have any of you actually planned a funeral before?

ballanty3comcas said on January 16, 2011 at 2:43 PM

What in the world are they thinking? $50. for a child that only lived one hour. COME ON.

goggomobil said on January 16, 2011 at 1:26 PM

This sounds like job security for the medical examiner's office. If someone gets hit by a car and dies, the coroner needs to let us know what caused the death? If the police or insurance companies want to know why a death occured, let them pay.

polybius1 said on January 15, 2011 at 11:15 PM

So I assume there is a corresponding charge for every baby that is aborted. Right? Or do you only tax the ones who are wanted just to rub salt in the wound? I am betting a lot of people just ignore this fee. I can't see someone paying for an autopsy they didn't ask for and for which there is no reason. If the state suspects foul play then that is just part of the cost of law enforcement. Making the bereaved pay is sick and a lot like how the Chinese charge the families of the people they execute for the bullets they use. It is just one more little indignity to let everyone know who the boss is. These people who pass these sorts of laws are barbarians. BTW, the whole "Palin makes rape victims pay for their rape kits" lie was debunked as soon as it came out. It is an indictment of how poor our main stream media is that people are so misinformed. It's as if they were doing it on purpose.

clazman148663346 said on January 15, 2011 at 7:38 PM

This is NOT a TAX. It is a fee. And for those Right leaning commenting here. We resided for several years in a "Republican State", Indiana to be exact. I was astonished to have to pay a tax on my cheap $100 trailer that I seldom used by the way. I was also astonished when we had to pay for a 4 inch drainage tile that traversed through our i acre plot.

davido84 said on January 15, 2011 at 4:51 PM

crapsandra: wow -- Telling grieving parents who's child has just died that they should have aborted it and should be charged with above. What a class act. Your mother must be so proud.

jimjonesblog2653 said on January 15, 2011 at 4:24 PM

I am sorry for the family's loss. On the tax issue - People need to decide how they want to pay for public services. Do we want a death tax, burial tax, digging hole tax, dirt storage tax, cremation tax, pine box tax, permit tax, law enforcement report tax, gas tax, property tax, sales tax, water tax, air tax, health tax, fire protection tax, sewer tax, etc etc etc? Do we want toll roads, pay per day at public schools, pay per letter received by the Post Office, etc etc? Or would we rather to all agree to pay an income tax, elect competent people to properly manage and direct funds, and go along our way?

eddiekn said on January 15, 2011 at 1:36 PM

crapsandra is indeed an appropriate name. You Miss based on your comment must be truly evil.

crapsandra said on January 15, 2011 at 1:18 PM

So What! If you have to pay $50 bucks for Grampy eating a dirt sandwich why shouldn't you pay the $50 for a baby? The parents should be charged with abuse for allowing this poor kid to suffer the few minutes she had on this earth in the first place. And dont give me some bull that it's "Gods Will" this is about the parents "ego".

seababushka said on January 15, 2011 at 12:46 PM

Why do some of you think the cost of this baby's birth was more than if she had not been born? By the time it is discovered that the lungs are not going to form there is no backing out. The birth process must happen. Do you think an abortion would have prevented the mom from having to go through labor and delivery? wouldn't that have actually been additional medical expense? These parents did the right thing. They did all for their baby that they could before they were forced to say an all too early goodbye. What I think is sad is that if the baby had been born and never took a breath the state of WA would not have granted the baby any form of birth certificate. They would have had a form of death certificate so the parents would be made responsible for the child instead of the state or hospital, but nothing for the birth process they still had to go through. WA NEEDS to pass the act that provides a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth for these unexplained stillbirths

gatransplant said on January 15, 2011 at 8:22 AM

I feel very sorry for the pain this family suffered, but just how much did bringing this child into this world for a for a few minutes COST? AND WHO PAID? $100,000.00? $200,000.00? Do the Clark's have insurance? Situations like this are why YOUR COST OF HEALTH INSURANCE IS SO HIGH. You can't expect insurance companies to lose money, but they should be treated like public utilities and be very strongly regulated. They can serve a purpose, to drive out fraud. But when Medicare costs 7% to administer and Blue Cross costs 20%, something must be done. You ignoramuses claim that "Obamacare" is the reason health insurance costs are going up. Boy, have you been snookered on this one. Tell me, if the Clarks had been told, the proper medical procedure for this is either an abortion or a regular child birth, but the baby will be stillborn; however, for an extra $200k out of your pocket, you can go to Seattle and have the baby, what do you think they would have done?

milesrich7038393 said on January 15, 2011 at 8:05 AM

I first heard about this story on a Right Wing Talk Radio show in Atlanta, Neal Boortz. He went on and on about this tax but never said how much it was. This story makes great grist for the anti tax people, Right wingers and most Republicans, but if King County just called called this tax the "County Medical Examiner Fee," no one would be talking about it. These same people who write in here, if asked, would you support a user fee to fund the County Medical Examiner's office of say, $50.00 per death, to be charged at the time of death, or would you rather pay additional sales or property taxes to pay for the County Medical Examiner and his office, would choose the user fee. Folks, government services are not free. Every county needs a medical examiner. People die under mysterious circumstances. If you eliminate this office, then you will not be able to prosecute most murders. There is NO SANTA CLAUS. There is no free lunch. We need more Jerry Brown's and Paul Tsongas's.

eddiekn said on January 15, 2011 at 7:32 AM

The death is tragic, the tax is your own fault. As long as you keep electing Democrats there will always be another reason to pick your pocket.

hatetoregister said on January 14, 2011 at 11:55 PM

To @dennisinwv please cut the BS! This has nothing to do with Washington being a Democratic state! This has to do with a blanket policy that should have some exceptions. Do you know of a woman named Sarah Palin? Well as governor of Alaska, she made women to pay for their own rape kits!! She is a Republican in case you didn't know! Poor policies have nothing to do with Republicans or Democrats. Sometimes it is just one person who feels that a fee should be charged and who has the power to make it happen. Sometimes a charge is put in place without considering that their might be instances in which it shouldn't apply. Lets not turn this into a case for or against a political party. This is about something different.

stan0301 said on January 14, 2011 at 9:35 PM

This is dumb as it gets--but for quite a while now the people of our beautiful North West have been electing people who espouse positions and beliefs that others would not tolerate--my point being that when you elect a fruit loop you will get laws and rules such as this enacted--not here in Colorado, where we have put the reins on government--to the point that our taxes--city, county, or state can not be raised unless we vote on it and approve it. What the people have done, they can also undo--and it sounds like the time has come to do it.

proudgrandpa said on January 14, 2011 at 3:03 PM

We are now (and have been for some time) officially "the land of the fee and the home of the slave." Congrats, King County for your brilliant one-size-fits-all policy.

pcgirl said on January 14, 2011 at 1:56 PM

To "commonsense", I would like to say that I understood what you were saying and could not agree more. I realize that a lot of people have since made comments about your lack of heart, but I thought that you might like to know that at least one resident of Western Washington agrees with you. People are incredibly selfish, insisting on exceptions for them and their personal circumstances, but the whole point of a blanket "tax" or "fee" is that it affects everyone equally, which means it is by definition fair. Clark family, I feel terrible about your loss and hope that the hour you had with Olivia will stay in your hearts and memories forever. I am also terribly sorry that your daughter's case was trotted out as an example and your pain laid bare in front of a public that only has their own interests in mind.

juggernaut90 said on January 14, 2011 at 11:44 AM

This is is a ridiculous.... I know there is a price most things and things aren't free, Epsecially in AMERICA....but come on....a charge for a baby with only an hours worth of life outside the whom.

dennisinwv said on January 14, 2011 at 5:24 AM

You folks in Washington State have brought this onto yourselves. For years you have shifted more and more to the left in your voting. The left is about taxes, amnesty and government control of your lives. There will be more taxes for you in the future. Look how Illinois - another Democratic tax and spend state - just increased their state income tax 67%! Look at all the large cities. Most are bankrupt or soon will be. States like New York, New Jersey, Illinois, California, Michigan, Washington and Maryland are doomed in the future with higher taxes because of entitlement programs and a policy promoting illegal immigration. You reap what you sow.

mrsdoug said on January 14, 2011 at 1:36 AM

The Beatles wrote about this so long ago. The Tax Man! Time to stop paying and face the consequences. Trust that the government doesn't have the resources to prosecute, or even serve complaints. They are really out of hand. Threats , threats and more threats. What'll they do do, spend taxpayer money to jail these grieving parents? Revolt isn't so hard. In our case, today, it means doing absolutely nothing. Enough people doing nothing makes their job impossible. Trust that.

davidkramer said on January 13, 2011 at 10:25 PM

Well, I passed over this story enough. Hmmmm, question, do you think if the people wanted an abortion if they would have been paid for it by our government? Probably. Seems to me that proves the old adage, if you breathe, the government taxes your breath, if you drink, they tax your drink, if you die, they tax your death. I would send the government a bill for living, but I do not know how far that would go. LOL

snowshooze said on January 13, 2011 at 10:01 PM

All the counties will line up for a buck. Sad story, made worse.

andhow68 said on January 13, 2011 at 9:48 PM

to Commonsense17 who wrote: "Society and others paid for this priceless hour and I don't think anybody out there feels bad about that, but its ridiculous to complain over a $50 fee (not a tax) when the family made a choice to consume resources others could have used. " Boy it's a good thing no one complained about the resources YOUR parents consumed (that others could have used) having you so that you could come to this point in your life and heap such nonsense on a family that just suffered a terrible loss and slap in the face afterwards. You have a sick sense of reason and absolutely no compassion.

kaguya said on January 13, 2011 at 9:40 PM

I worked for a company in the Workers Paradise of Seattle for several years. My job was such that I didn't have to live there. I went to WPS for 3-4 months then took my money back to Mississippi. The mind set of King County is one of the reasons I never moved there. All I can say is, keep on tax'n, people.. Pretty soon people will leave and all that will be left will be the welfare recipients.

andhow68 said on January 13, 2011 at 9:39 PM

So, if I understand correctly, one hour is the difference between a fetus that can be killed using a third trimester abortion and a life that can be taxed????? One hour?????

lsmith5870400119 said on January 13, 2011 at 8:28 PM

Typical Seattle B.S. It is all a money game. Look at the tripe that runs Seattle and you don't have to look much further.

travlntexan said on January 13, 2011 at 8:12 PM

Death and Taxes...take it to the bank.

bigskymt said on January 13, 2011 at 7:47 PM

Is this fee assessed when a woman exercises her right to end a pregnancy?

greg9001 said on January 13, 2011 at 6:57 PM

First of all my condolences. After reading this I had a flash back to my youth. And this was what first came to my mind. The Beatles 1966 album Revolver the song "TAXMAN" The part that hurts the most is these two lines in the song. Now my advice for those who die, (Taxman!) Declare the pennies on your eyes, (Taxman!)

obamalied said on January 13, 2011 at 6:34 PM

""Every time I turn around the county appears to be nickel and diming us, putting a tax on this and a tax on that. Where does it end?" said Larry." You want to know where it ends Larry? I will tell you. It ends when King County quits electing democrats. King County is a corrupt bastion of liberalism, as certain as the earth revolves around the sun, King County will elect democrats like blind puppets relentlessly. That county will NEVER stop electing democrats, and will do so until the end of time.

abhwgog said on January 13, 2011 at 6:21 PM

Our friend laurence is calling the kettle black I do believe.

laurenceballard said on January 13, 2011 at 5:42 PM

Ah, the lovely whines of anonymous trolls from the Drudge site.

aunt_bee said on January 13, 2011 at 5:40 PM

“To be governed is to be at every operation, at every transaction, noted, registered, enrolled, taxed, stamped, measured, numbered, assessed, licensed, authorized, admonished, forbidden, reformed, corrected, punished.” — Pierre-Joseph Proudhon 911essentials.com

jmwftx said on January 13, 2011 at 5:22 PM

That's what happens when you have liberals in charge. Government becomes a giant morass of bureaucrats and politicians that requires ever more money to feed it. That's why CA, NY, IL and other liberal-dominated states are broke--there's no way to turn back the clock short of bankruptcy or soaking fiscally responsible states to subsidize the irresponsible ones.

ddoll23 said on January 13, 2011 at 5:00 PM

I'm from Wisconsin and not familiar with King County. However, I bet the Democrats run King County. This tax sounds like something our state used to do when the Democrats ran things. We just elected Republicans to take over the Governorship, Assembly, and Senate. We no longer have such stupid and cruel taxes.

kateyc said on January 13, 2011 at 5:00 PM

It is a shame that King County will not allow grieving families peace, and sends them a bill instead. It is a shame they choose to extort the deceased's loved ones with the shallow excuse that, according to the article, "half" of 347 misunderstood deaths -- totalling less than 1% of the 13,000 deceased in the county -- were due to treatment or murder. It is a ridiculous waste of time and county/taxpayer resources, and abusive to families. Rest in peace, baby Olivia. God bless you, Clark family. My deepest condolences. I pray that your joyous hour together as a family will bring you comfort always.

rosshuntard said on January 13, 2011 at 4:19 PM

No surprise in a nanny state county where their government is their God.

maggiesbuddy said on January 13, 2011 at 3:13 PM

Sorry it is listed as a "death tax" but yes, there are "fees". It is hard to see that kind of charge listed. This is a a reality of life and cost.

markustee said on January 13, 2011 at 2:06 PM

I highly recommend refusing the pay this extortion. I was in a similar situation, where the police called an ambulance to transport my daughter to the hospital, when she was in no immediate danger and I told them I would take her there myself. They restrained me and did not allow me to take my daughter to the hospital, and the ambulance (county) charged me $300 for the ride. I sent them back the bill and told them to shove it. And they shoved it. It has been ten years, they have not seen a dime. When the government starts penalizing people and mandating charges that the people do not agree to for services they do not want, it is time to object with dollars.

dunce said on January 13, 2011 at 2:04 PM

One size fits all events,now shut up and sit down,we know what is best for you. We have lawyers on speed dial if we find anything they can sue somebody for then we get a kick back in the form of a campaign contribution.

ddurk said on January 13, 2011 at 1:34 PM

I always thought that county employees slaries and operation budgets were paid for by state income taxes and property taxes. Adding this "death Tax" is heartless and should be abolished.

nikecar said on January 13, 2011 at 12:41 PM

tootoo @ 6:33 AM---------------------- ----------------------- Being charged to have a ME review the death, and charge, is not generally a cost of having a child. If someone dies and is 80yo, by your logic, would the ME charge the parents of that 80yo? Its now a "cost that come along with it." The story says no other counties do this, so this isn't a cost associated with having a child. Its no different than a fire rescue or ambulance coming to an accident, even if you didn't call them, and charging you to come out and respond.

nikecar said on January 13, 2011 at 12:37 PM

I seriously doubt commonsense17 is living in reality. When a person has insurance, especially via work, you pay into it, and so does the employer. To say the birth of any child, no matter the condition, is a waste of resources, is cold and callous. Life is to be cherished, and just because this child had a condition, by your logic, they should have had an abortion and saved everyone the trouble. If these folks had insurance, paid for it, and their company put in too, there should be no discussion if this was a fair use of resources or not. If you have a car, and no job, and get in an accident, I think we should bill you because you aren't doing anything productive, when the insurance fixes your car. Better yet, can we get a refund of the tax money for the schools that helped to educate you?

larsinkima said on January 13, 2011 at 12:37 PM

Just think, now some beurocrat will decide if you get treatment when you get old. If you are denied and die your loved ones will get charged again so they can tell you why they died. How's that for "Hoax & Chains"

horicesheets said on January 13, 2011 at 12:35 PM

ONLY in Democrat controlled, liberal, leftist Seattle would you have people writing in supporting this taxand Yes, it is a TAX. I would recommend, DO NOT PAY IT and let the Bas&%$ds try to collect from the baby's estate.

frogprince said on January 13, 2011 at 12:29 PM

I hope King County Prevention Division Manager Gareth Johnson buys a nice big juicy burger with the $50 he made off that dead baby.............

harleyrider63 said on January 13, 2011 at 12:10 PM

Yep,,,,,,,,,,,,Thats what happens when you live in a liberal state. Its not just about taxing the rich, lets start taxing the dead too. LETS GO DEMOCRATS FOR 2012!

carbonpaddles said on January 13, 2011 at 11:33 AM

If the family wanted the review they should pay the $50 fee. If the review is for society's benefit then society should pay.

commonsense17 said on January 13, 2011 at 11:21 AM

I feel sorry for the Clark Family for their loss, but they should be thankful that we live in a society and a healthcare system that allows them to take up thousands of dollars of hospital resources and presumably thousands of insurance dollars in order to bring this pregnancy to term. Society and others paid for this priceless hour and I don't think anybody out there feels bad about that, but its ridiculous to complain over a $50 fee (not a tax) when the family made a choice to consume resources others could have used. They should be expected to pay for those resources.

astralweeks said on January 13, 2011 at 11:09 AM

Another fine democrat 'fee'

cruiserdude said on January 13, 2011 at 10:43 AM

I think the death tax is crule. Taxing inheritance is also wrong. The money saved in the bank was already taxed when earned. The state or Government has no right to do this. I feel for these people, losing someone you love that is so young would be devistating and then getting slapped with a $50.00 bill for the death.

sludgepuppy said on January 12, 2011 at 4:55 PM

There seems to be a need for a better financing method, but you write that about half of the questioned deaths were from treatment. What happens next? Does the licensing board look into the issue? Are there patterns that are seen, such as a particular hospital, person involved, or type of treatment? What are the ages of those who died?

allisonsnana said on January 12, 2011 at 2:52 PM

As the grandmother of a stillborn in 1996, I still feel the pain and the beauty of that day. To add this tax is an insult to families who are in grief and hurting in a way that most will never understand.

freedomfrank said on January 12, 2011 at 1:16 PM

freedomtroll,, we did take a stand with the last election. Thats how we speak is thru voting and communicating with our elected officials.

iceman156 said on January 12, 2011 at 1:01 PM

I 100% disagree with this so-called death tax. If the person's family requests an autopsy to be done independently of the hospital, then the county can perform it and charge the $50. If the family chooses not to finalize the cause of death, then that is their decision and it should be left alone. Should the county have reasonable doubt, then they should conduct one on their own expense. If the person had life insurance and wants a definite answer based on certain clauses signed in the documents, then this is acceptable. Other than that, if the family requests nothing to be done, then nothing is to be done. Let it go.

freemonttroll said on January 12, 2011 at 11:37 AM

@freedomfrank - What do you suggest we do to take a stand? Go Vote? Hold a protest? Shoot a congress person in the head? - I am curious about what you mean by "time to take a stand".

tootoo said on January 12, 2011 at 6:33 AM

You make the commitment to have a baby, you accept the costs that come along with it, reasonable or not.

freedomfrank said on January 12, 2011 at 5:52 AM

OK NWgal,,, Now answer me this honestly OK? Right now, at this very moment I spend approx 35-40% of my time working for the government by paying taxes on my money that I earn thru working. At what point do YOU say enough is enough? 40 50 60 % of your time? At what point do we tell the government OK,, thats all you get. I don't want to become a citizen that spends 80% of my time working for the government. This is our time to take a stand. As Perspective told you, there is no maximum amount you can give to the government so please,,, give all you can.

charleylechein said on January 12, 2011 at 1:24 AM

A loss of life at anytime is a loss no matter who you are or who they were. You could go on and on but its best if you just give the family time to grieve. So, King County has added this charge years ago. Im not sure why its called a "death tax". maybe they can call it something else. The term "death tax" will always remind the family of the death. Maybe they can call it "Coroner's Final Report".... Sorry, I dont know what to call it, other than "death tax", that appears to be as cold as anything else I have ever seen. Maybe the Seattle Times special fund will donate money for this, since I dont think KING 5 would think of that even if its staring them in the face. Elsa Hanh must be feeling extremely bad, as it is a reminder of her losing her mother. Maybe KING COUNTY is trying to pay fo their budget, 50 dollars at a time. Sucks to die in KING COUNTY, if you know you are dying, go to either WHATCOM county, ISLAND County, or even SNOHOMISH County...

cmeeverett said on January 12, 2011 at 1:08 AM

This is just wrong. A death tax? Why don't they call it an autopsy fee? burial fee? ---or something a little more understanding.

shedboy said on January 11, 2011 at 11:08 PM

Our government underfunded?!? Your kidding right? Obamas Military budget was so huge they are going to have to raise the debt ceiling to pay for it. What they can't squeeze out of the taxpayers they print so your great, great, great, great grand kids will have something to complain about when they are still paying for the wars we are wasting money on now.

perspective said on January 11, 2011 at 11:00 PM

Nw gal, your right, government is underfunded. You should send em a check, say for 10 thou??? Or how about a 10$ blogger tax??

nwgal said on January 11, 2011 at 9:40 PM

bazwest - If you can't even get the name of one of the two major political parties in the country right, it's a pretty good indication that your post isn't worth taking seriously.

nwgal said on January 11, 2011 at 9:35 PM

Gee, it's just a shame that government isn't free, isn't it? Regardless of how many times taxes are cut, people still complain that they're too high. Let's be honest. I never see a comment from a conservative wondering if we've actually gotten to the point where government is underfunded. And I won't; because people who complain about taxes being too high are not responding to an inquiry into the facts. They're simply talking from their world view. Any facts (and there are plenty of them) that contradict their world view on this matter (and just about any other, for that matter) are just tossed aside. No, it couldn't be possible that government is looking at adding fees because it's underfunded--because conservatives believe it couldn't be possible. That's what passes for logic among Right Wingers.

shedboy said on January 11, 2011 at 7:48 PM

Condolences for the family. Sadly, we better get used to these "taxes or fees" or what ever you want to call them. Since our elected officials dare not raise taxes, THIS is how they are going to nickle and dime us to death. $200 parking tickets? $600 for 5 mph over the speed limit? $100 car registration? Sin taxes up the wazoo. Prepare to be milked like a tired Guernsey. Take a look at last years phone, water and power bills..now compare to this months, see an increase? See a few new lines with small little fees? Now watch how proudly our elected officials claim that they have saved us by not raising our income tax. Your still going to see a 20% cut in the money you have.

underserf said on January 11, 2011 at 7:18 PM

A great miracle from a great god indeed. Right up there with the miracle of Dick Cheneys' beating heart.

riverman said on January 11, 2011 at 7:15 PM

review every death?? ok, if it helps... charge a $50 death fee everytime someone dies, even a newborn who only lived for an hour?? bureaucratic B.S.!!!

underserf said on January 11, 2011 at 7:14 PM

It;s not a TAX, it is a FEE - if you don't want the FEE, refuse the SERVICE & pay for your own autopsy. Since when are the circumstances surrounding the death of an infant a fact to be left to the judgment of parents or the MDs treating the infant? MDs are NEVER in error, eh? How many crack babies have died @ birth and been autopsied, to hold the mother accountable? All King County has to do is utter the word "METH" and THEN everyone agrees that ALL neonatal deaths should be investigated. Find some other battle, Teapartiers, this is what YOU voted for.

rmsbl4 said on January 11, 2011 at 6:35 PM

Do you mean to tell me that the attending physcian could not sign the death cartificate. This is STUPID STUPID STUPID.

genagee said on January 11, 2011 at 6:22 PM

I am very sorry for their loss but I don't understand why this is a story? It's $50 for heaven's sake, last thing I would be worrying about at this time.

mirage said on January 11, 2011 at 2:35 PM

In addition, for those of you who are saying the state is making tons of money off of this - can you prove that - can you show all of the revenue that came in off of this fee and the cost of the work that was done by the office for reviews and show the difference? Please offer some evidence. The $50 is probably just a per death average cost, some may be more expensive (especially those where problems are found) versus some like this case where they are fairly basic and the review is probably less expensive. I know it sucks, but this process makes sense to me. I can't prove that they aren't, but let's stop making accusations without facts. Just like we should stop blaming certain parties or people for this without facts about how it came about.

mirage said on January 11, 2011 at 2:33 PM

The problem is that it has to be all or nothing. In general (not talking about this specific case), if it were up to certain people to decide whether there was a review or not then it would allow for deceit. Just think if a doctor was the one who ordered whether there was a review or not, and they just happened to know they did not perform the correct care for your loved one - do you think they would order the review? This is a safety net. Had the review in this case shown something else like poor care or hospital neglect etc, I am sure that this would be seen as a good thing. I am sorry for the family, I really am, but I think this is actually a good thing and I will add it to my final care expense budget, so I know that my death will be reviewed.

goldiemae said on January 11, 2011 at 2:08 PM

If the $50 charge were listed more properly as a review fee rather than a tax, would we even be hearing of this? While I understand it's upsetting for these parents, I don't know that it serves anyone to begin adding a long list of exceptions to when the review isn't necessary. 347 out 13000 is roughly 2.5% of deaths having the incorrect cause of death being recorded. What would they have felt if their child's death certificate arrived with an incorrect cause listed?

gladimoved said on January 11, 2011 at 1:50 PM

spam: very well put. Unfortunately, this family was not aware of the fee, but it needs to be paid, if not by them, then someone can donate the money. In a time of grief, it is difficult to understand such a line item. There is no compromise here and there should not be. The "tax" is not based upon how long someone lives. Sad, but true. RIP, Olivia.

bazwest said on January 11, 2011 at 1:44 PM

cowgirlcrysl your comments are repugnant. You have no idea what motivated the murderer Loughner in Arizona and you have no basis in reality, outside of hatred for conservatives, for tying conservatives to this heinous crime. You clearly lack the ability to cognitively process information objectively. It is so much more likely that Loughner was simply a loner, fixated on the congresswoman after meeting her back in 2007. His senseless political ramblings resemble no political party or persuasion except perhaps anarchism. Your comments relative to the story above also demonstrates that you are ignorant of what the majority of American's are likely to believe and feel is an abuse of power. Clearly the $50 fee levied in this case is simply one more unjustifiable tax on a family during a moment of great sorrow. Obviously the county should investigate cases of suspicious death, but this one is not suspicious. This is simply one more example of democrat politics run amuck.

trishalexander72 said on January 11, 2011 at 1:41 PM

Having lost a child myself I can relate to the pain this family is experiencing, my heart aches for them. I assume the parents would have been happy to have the tax deduction if the baby had lived but seem upset about a "death tax" at this point. What about the hospital bill, did they have insurance? or do we hard working, tax paying people have to pay for that like we so often do. Kids cost money, dont have them if you cant afford them and $50 is a drop in the bucket when it comes to the cost of raising children. BTW-I was in so much grief when my son passed I could have cared less if I was taxed or not. Pay up and be gald it was only $50.

spamneggasis said on January 11, 2011 at 1:39 PM

@COWGIRL - yes, it does say word for word "King County Death Tax" on the notice. Anything else you want to spout off at the mouth about? While I agree that it is up to us to support our cities, I completely disagree with everything people like you stand for. Where do you see Sarah Palin mentioned in this article?! This article has absolutely nothing at all to do with her, yet you people cannot help yourselves. Let me guess, this is GW's doing also, right? Palin may have been on the card as a nominee, but she didn't actually win anything. She has never had any influence over anything, other than Alaska. So, unless you are writing from Alaska, there is absolutely nothing you can blame Sarah Palin for. She never had authority, influence, an office outside of Alaska, etc, She has never instituted any National Policies. She may have vocally supported them, but she did not put them in place. Not everything can be blamed on Palin, you know, since she lost and wasn't given any power

yogibear said on January 11, 2011 at 1:35 PM

spamneggasis--Good comment

spamneggasis said on January 11, 2011 at 1:29 PM

The law is not customized per individual. Go back to that lame quote: The law is reason, free from passion. Basically: "the law doesn't understand tears". You can petition to change this "policy" for the future, but you cannot whine about it until you are exempt from something that everyone else is accountable for. We want these county provided services to continue (coroner, police, sanitation, etc), yet we do not want to contribute any more in taxes than we have been for the last 20 years. So, since we continually refuse new taxes, the city has no choice but to impose fee's. The same rule applies to the general cost of living. Over time, everything becomes more expensive. In 1990, you could pay a Sanitation worker $9/hr, and it was decent money. Now, you have to pay them almost twice that, with no additional funding coming in. So, until you wise up and start approving new taxes that are actually beneficial, you'll find yourselves a constant victim to city imposed fees.

trojan33 said on January 11, 2011 at 1:19 PM

Sick.

cowgirlcrysi said on January 11, 2011 at 1:02 PM

Elisa Hahn is disingenuous in this article. Does the line item say Death Tax? Did some bureaucrat label it Death Tax? Does she simply think she can extend the Repugnant Party meme that NO GOVERNMENT IS WORTH HAVING ? Government services cost money. The price of no government is a cost that will directly be borne by our society, one way or another. The broader attempt to incite, as in the case of Sarah Palin inciting Jared Loughner to assassinate a judge and shoot Ms Giffords, leaving her on a feedtube, is exactly the same here. Crosshairs incite. RELOAD? Incitement. Death tax? on an infant? Elisa Hahn attempts to incite, allowing interviewees to stretch the truth, use buzzwords and talking points to portray something exactly obtusely the opposite of what it is. How exactly are dead persons to be resolved? This is not an emotion-laden subject. Do governments merely absorb this cost? Get real. Instead, Ms Hahn portrays heartless bureaucrats as the problem. Shame on Ms Hahn

ihatenews said on January 11, 2011 at 12:53 PM

@ kbbcoop - you are so insensitive. The "it" you refer so callously to, is a baby girl. It isn't your place or mine to decide what should've been done. That was the decision of the family. They decided to carry her to term, expecting that their baby wouldn't even make it through the birthing process. Baby Olivia beat all odds, and the famliy got to spend one hour with her. That one hour is probably worth more than you can even imagine. Poor planning? I don't think that the Clark family would agree, even in the slightest.

dede1978 said on January 11, 2011 at 12:48 PM

kbbcoop has posted another one of it's offensive comments. What makes you think the family did not want that baby? That is usually why someone aborts. Take your tasteless comments elsewhere.

denkoko said on January 11, 2011 at 12:32 PM

For some IDIOT posters here, this practice was in place BEFOR Pres. Obama took office. SO...george jr. can take the blaim on this , as well as a tanked economy. I believe King County is very prudent by investigating deaths. Just look at there record on what they have uncovered. Unfortunately, this practice cannot be tailor made for every death.

ihatenews said on January 11, 2011 at 12:31 PM

To the Clark family: I am so sorry for your loss! This story breaks my heart. I think that some poeple are losing sight of the real issue here. The fact is that this grieving family is now left with a $50 tax (Yes - probably not much, for the majority of us)... but for what? For the ME to tell them that their precious baby died because she was polycystic - something they already knew...? I agree that in "certain, suspect cases" deaths should be investigated. However, an organic cause such as this is not something that should spur any kind of investigation. Put yourselves in this famliy's shoes. Waive the fee, and let this family grieve their loss!

isobael said on January 11, 2011 at 12:13 PM

The last time I checked, there's a coroner we pay for out of our taxes that investigate deaths. If there's no autopsy, then there's a reason for it - usually they know the cause of death. So why is there a $50 charge as a "death tax" if the cause is already known or we already pay the wages for someone or someones to do their job? I think the people of King County need to get that tax struck out of the county tax rolls.

onceatimberbeast said on January 11, 2011 at 11:52 AM

I wonder how long it will be before king county realizes the cash cow here. Now when there is a budget shortage (like there always is in King county, they just go kill people for the 50 bucks in taxes. Brilliant idea! Who keeps voting these nimrods in? oh yeah, I remember

dede1978 said on January 11, 2011 at 11:45 AM

cate21 I have to disagree with your comment. Yeah, $50 is somewhat nothing and I agree that the fee is not an issue. But assessing the fee in this case, where there is no question regarding the cause of death is too much. The way I understand the fee and the reason the ME has to be involved is to make sure nothing is missed and they don't call a murder a natural or accidental death. That's not the case here and I don't believe this family should have to pay it.

randydutton said on January 11, 2011 at 11:26 AM

Have illegals also been charged a death tax? What happens if it isn't paid? Do they repossess the body?

gritz said on January 11, 2011 at 11:18 AM

Kingster - Dude! If you are implying that a fifty dollar fee is enough casue for someone to shoot twenty people, then you are just as crazy as the nut sitting in the Tucson jail. Secondly, you have no clue what caused the shooting, so maybe you shouldnt speculate cause you have no flipping idea.

jinkiesshaggie said on January 11, 2011 at 11:14 AM

I see the nutbags are out today. This is a beneficial "fee", it, unlike others actually serves a purpose in protecting the public interest. Geez, I sit here and imagine what the rhetoric on here would be if this baby's last name was Hernandez, from Yakima. Then all you baggers would be going on about illegal aliens, using up all our medical services, with your pitchforks & shovels, saying how the county should make them pay more.

cate21 said on January 11, 2011 at 11:05 AM

$50 is not a lot of money. I could understand the outrage if it were $5,000 —but a $50 death tax to make sure that "no one goes to the crematorium or to their grave without society and the family knowing exactly how their loved one died." It's a good idea. Be reasonable people. Really.

kingster said on January 11, 2011 at 10:34 AM

Who asked you you greedy cruds? That is an obscenity ! What ever happened to getting consent? Government pulls this kind of thing and then wonders why something happened as it recently did in Arizona. This is why.

newlogin86 said on January 11, 2011 at 10:21 AM

"kbbcoop said on January 11, 2011 at 9:43 AM This is ObamaCare, hope you all like it!" ................................................................................. Really?? A fee implemented 3 years ago, which is, hmm... 2008, when BUSH was in office, and a STATE level tax is Obamacare? You win the award for DUMBEST COMMENT OF THE DAY!!!

idealjulia said on January 11, 2011 at 10:05 AM

First of all, I had tears in my eyes for the family. I could not imagine loosing one of my babies. Heart breaking! On the other hand, being taxed for the baby's death was wrong and inhumaine. Obviously, the Dr. already knew the baby had problems. RIP little angel!

kbbcoop said on January 11, 2011 at 9:43 AM

This is ObamaCare, hope you all like it!

guynoirprivatei said on January 11, 2011 at 9:43 AM

this is SOOOOOOOOOOO WRONNNNG! is it any wonder ppl are FED UP with Gov't? I 'see' the reason, BUT: a one - hour life IN A HOSPITAL? that's ridiculous.

hologram5 said on January 11, 2011 at 9:42 AM

So, not only do they face one of the worst things a parent can face, they get charged a ridiculous fee on top of it. What a bunch of tools.

kingcountryvoter said on January 11, 2011 at 9:01 AM

Hard to cut a department that brings in enough revenue to cover there own salaries. He is doing this for job security.

conspiracy said on January 11, 2011 at 8:46 AM

I think the real story here is that given the track record of the King County medical examiners office, is this really justified? Their track record is less than stellar and most professionally run organizations would change the way they do business in light of so many suspicious deaths that "fell through the cracks". Why do we always have to hear from some lackey with the Health Department who obviously does not know what is going on in there? Let's hear from the Chief ME! Someone once said his silence is deafening. Now I know what they meant.

newsmanr6 said on January 11, 2011 at 8:35 AM

Wow, yet another example of the rampant stupidity in King County politics. My heart goes out to the family of that small child and my middle finger goes out to King County.

1beachperson said on January 11, 2011 at 7:55 AM

Good ole King County - Tax you to death, then tax you when you die!

dede1978 said on January 11, 2011 at 7:44 AM

chuckstr, that would be the state paying the county if there is no family.... I agree to the fee if they actually have to do something, but in cases such as this... This should only be done in cases where there is a question as to the cause and this wasn't the case with this beautiful baby. Let's use some common sense.

sensibleguy said on January 11, 2011 at 7:38 AM

Counties look to each other for creative ways to tax. The fact that other counties are looking at implementing this tax is a forgone conclusion. Once a jurisdiction gets away with a new tax, they all follow.

gritz said on January 11, 2011 at 7:23 AM

Was an autopsy performed ? What did the State do to earn the money?

udogaag said on January 11, 2011 at 7:22 AM

This is another example for "Out of Control Government". It is a completely unnecessary intervention by our government into our private lives. Before too long we will need a permit (and accompanied tax) before we are allowed to blow our noses. Please, my fellow citizens: Make your next VOTE count and throw those Polititians (Democrats and Republicans alike) that keep restricting our freedoms one by one, and who are taxing us to death (pun unintended...) out of office. Vote to reverse this trend and vote to restore FREEDOM to this once free and great country...! We do not need Government to babysit us to death!

chuckstr76 said on January 11, 2011 at 6:39 AM

The only thing the county is looking for, is the death certificate. They see that and the bill is next. So who are they going to bill if there are no relatives?

chrahn said on January 11, 2011 at 6:31 AM

Obviously, this just plain wrong.

dakotanative said on January 11, 2011 at 6:31 AM

If they are finding mistakes one out of thirty-seven deaths, they must be doing something.

beunique said on January 11, 2011 at 6:19 AM

If there is cause for suspision then the police will investigate OR a autopsy will be performed. ( that's more costly). There is no reason to charge this fee for every death! It is simply a paperwork review. This Tax is generating huge amount of revenue that goes directly to the KC ME department. The fact that the public wasn't informed of this "fee" when they decided to just create it...is soooo sneaky. I hope that when the time comes for each of us to have to pay this, that somehow through sadness and grief we are able to say no, "I dont agee with this fee". I'm sorry for the Clarks loss.

davesea said on January 11, 2011 at 5:51 AM

"The People's County". Ya' vol mine capetan, you vill pay da fee.

teufel said on January 11, 2011 at 3:40 AM

If King County could tax you for air we breathe, they would.

teufel said on January 11, 2011 at 3:35 AM

If King County could tax you for air we breathe, they would.

mtabholt said on January 11, 2011 at 3:19 AM

@mxyzptlk 'To borrow a GOP phrase, this is "compassionate liberalism" at its best.' Dude -- seriously? King County is far and away, one of the most liberal counties in the in country. How can you even begin to try to peg this on GOP?? Last election cycle, the rest of Washington state BEGGED for change, but KING COUNTY said NO! I have no idea who implemented this, or why it was done, but if you're going to blame our elected officials, you better look in the mirror for that one.

grizzlyironbear said on January 11, 2011 at 1:26 AM

So glad I took my family and LEFT Washington. This is just the beginning folks, mark my words.

spycam said on January 11, 2011 at 1:01 AM

King County mandated ALL deaths and did not allow for COMMON SENSE. But then they'd have to have some to start with.... So what did the Medical Examiner do to 'earn' the $50 tax? Sign a piece of paper?

slyike said on January 11, 2011 at 12:08 AM

This is total B.S.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

skippythedog said on January 10, 2011 at 11:47 PM

as they say....Death and Taxes.

drmike said on January 10, 2011 at 11:42 PM

I've had patients die unexpectedly while in other counties, under what sounded to me like suspicious circumstances, yet the county coroners begged me to certify the deaths as natural. The reason: underfunded coroner's departments with no resources to investigate. The drop in sales tax revenue hit every county hard, aggravating the problem. A $50 fee so the county does at least some review to make sure we're not missing homicides sounds very reasonable to me.

mxyzptlk said on January 10, 2011 at 11:41 PM

When Saddam Hussein executed someone, he sent the family a bill for the bullets. So, I guess this tax makes sense. Same type of government. To borrow a GOP phrase, this is "compassionate liberalism" at its best.

jgcimino said on January 10, 2011 at 10:55 PM

Somebody's gotta pay for those cozy $150k/yr. government jobs. After all, the ME can provide a HUGELY valuable service by confirming an obvious cause of death. IT WILL HELP YOU GET OVER THE TRAGEDY!! WHAT THE DEUCE IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!