Baby Who Lived One Hour Charged a Death Tax

Olivia Clark was polycystic and survived only an hour after birth. Nobody expected her to survive birth, so her parents and grandparents were thrilled to meet her and talk to her while she was alive.

Although Olivia Clark’s parents were from Yakima, they travelled to the University of Washington Medical Center for her delivery, meaning that she died in King county. King county now requires that every death be reviewed, a service that results in a $50 death tax. Olivia’s parents were shocked that a little girl that only lived for an hour has to pay a $50 tax.

“King County is the only county in the state that requires a review of every death. But a spokesperson for King County Public Health says other counties and jurisdictions are shifting toward this process.”

Elisa Hahn, Family Charged ‘Death Tax’ for Baby Who Lived One Hour, King5.com, Jan. 10, 2011.