Supervisor Hahn Issues Statement on Elimination of Burdensome Medical Examiner Fee

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is applauding the passage of a motion she co-authored with Supervisor Hilda Solis to eliminate the Medical Examiner’s transportation and storage fees for LA County residents.

The $400 fee to transport the body of the deceased from the place of death to the location where bodies undergo an examination was often unexpected and burdensome for families, and a recent report showed that the fee disproportionately impacted low-income residents.

“I am grateful we have the flexibility in our budget to eliminate this fee that had burdened families during some of the most difficult days of their lives,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Los Angeles County is here for our residents from their births to their deaths. This is part of that commitment and taking care of our residents with dignity and compassion.”

With today’s vote, LA County becomes the first jurisdiction in California to eliminate this fee. During the meeting, Supervisor Hahn pointed out LA County is in a position to do this because it is unique in providing these services in-house rather than using a private contractor.