Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Regional pathologist proposes raising autopsy fee to $1,800; counties weigh budget impact
Summary
County staff reported the regional pathologist’s plan to raise autopsy fees from $1,500 to $1,800 in 2026; neighboring counties expressed concern because budgets were already submitted, and staff noted Hillsdale’s autopsy counts have fluctuated in recent years.
County staff informed the board that the regional pathologist has proposed increasing autopsy fees from the current $1,500 to $1,800 for 2026. Administrators from Jackson and Lenawee counties raised concerns because their budgets have been submitted; Hillsdale staff said their budget was also already submitted.
Staff provided comparative figures to frame the request: they said Western Michigan University’s current charges can run as high as roughly $3,734 per autopsy and that some peer counties currently pay in higher ranges. Hillsdale’s year‑to‑date autopsy counts through August were given as 26 for Hillsdale and 54 for Jackson; staff said the annual autopsy total had decreased in recent years (49 in 2022, 50 in 2023, 38 in 2024) and that the number through August 2025 was below year‑end totals for prior years.
A county official asked whether families are billed for autopsies requested by the family; staff confirmed that if a family requests an autopsy, the family pays; otherwise the county where the death occurred pays the cost under current practice. Commissioners agreed to continue regional discussion with the three‑county group and revisit the budget implications in October.
