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

[The Straight Story]

SEATTLE -- Olivia Clark lived for only one hour. Doctors didn't even expect her to survive birth. Now her family has a hard time understanding why the King County Medical Examiner has to review her death and charge $50.

"With Olivia, there was so much love in that room and we knew it was going to be such a short time," says her grandmother, Diana Clark. "That was probably the most joyous hour that I've experienced."

Her grandparents say Olivia was polycystic and, as a result, her lungs never developed. So, her short life was a miracle.

"We were thrilled that she lived long enough that we could meet her alive and talk about her and see her while she was still alive," says Larry Clark, her grandfather.

Although her parents were from Yakima, they came to the University of Washington Medical Center for her delivery. As a result, Olivia died in King county. Her family soon learned the impact that would have when they received the funeral bill.

"There was a little line on there near the bottom of the bill that said 'King county death tax: $50.' And we looked at that, and looked at that and looked at each other and said 'what is that?' Couldn't believe that a little girl that lived for an hour has to pay a $50 tax," said Larry.

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Family-charged-with-death-tax-for-baby-who-lives-one-hour-113256474.html

[progressivebydesign]

1. hate to be cruel, but a charge is a charge.

Seattle has a long history of people running to the media whenever they feel wronged about anything. As tragic as this was, it doesn't seem that hard to comprehend. It's not a death tax, it's a fee for issuing a death certificate.

[wtmusic]

3. +1. nt

[petronius]

5. You're right, of course - it's hardly oppression or insult to charge a fee for a service

But at the same time it feels tacky; I'd rather the decedents' families be treated a bit more gently, and the costs of death certificate procedures be wrapped up in the general funds...

[elehhhhna]

16. Does it actually say "death tax"? If not, this is raw bullshit. If so,

it's pretty tacky...but I'm glad they got over the dead baby so fast, and with energy to spare, so as to fight the MAN for 50 bucks.

[Journeyman]

2. The only certainties in life, contained within a single little line . . .

Somehow, one wishes for greater compassion, even within a bureaucracy. . .

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

4. Tax man gotta get paid.

Nothing is certain but death and taxes

[HuckleB]

6. Why did the family think this was worthy of going to the press?

And why did the press think this story was worthy of attention?

This feels much too much like the balloon boy family. It's a truly sad situation, yet the family appears to want attention over $50.

:shrug:

[boppers]

7. You child/grandchild has just died, and you're bitching about a 50 dollar fee?

Nice set of priorities, there.

[HuckleB]

8. +1

[Contrary1]

9. Our twin granddaughters were born at 23 weeks and lived only a short time...

They were issued birth and death certificates. Without a death certificate, there can be no funeral.

I noticed in one of the comments left that this "tax" existed only because of the Democrats holding office. That is both ignorant and hilarious at the same time.

Birth/Death certificates cost the city to produce, so if there was no fee to the family involved, it would have to be covered by all taxpayers.

In other words, Socialism.

[JI7]

10. what ? the little girl doesn't have to pay anything

these people don't seem to understand. i think they just read "death tax" and thought of the crap republicans say and assumed it to be unfair.

[Warren Stupidity]

11. Lets post more idiotic anti-tax republican nonsense on DU!

who's with me?

[Odin2005]

12. unrec for "death tax" BS.

[MattBaggins]

13. What complete and utter nonsense

It is terrible that this child died but the county fee is justifiable.

What should be the cut off? Two hours? Two weeks? Two months?

[BrightKnight]

14. death and taxes I guess

The money has to come from somewhere. A lot of uncomfortable things have to be dealt with when someone passes away. Perhaps the source of the funding could be changed to lessen the emotional burden on other families.

[Brickbat]

15. Maybe that medical examiner should just work for free.