Committee backs recommending a four-year medical examiner contract after caseload and federal rule changes raised costs
Staff recommended a four-year medical examiner services renewal with U of M Health; committee approved a recommendation to the board subject to legal review after staff cited higher caseloads (50 in 2023, 45 in 2024) and federal contractor-employment changes as drivers of an increase.
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Michelle Spiro, presenting the proposed renewal for medical examiner services, said the county received a proposed four-year agreement for 2026—69 with an amount for services that is larger than prior contracts. She noted two drivers for the increase: federal rule changes that converted contracted field investigators to employees and a rise in cases transported for examination ("in 2022 ... about 28 cases; in 2023, we're at 50; and in 2024, we're at 45," Spiro said).
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