Smith County wants to cut autopsy costs - KYTX CBS 19 Tyler Longview News Weather Sports

Smith County wants to cut autopsy costs

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SMITH COUNTY (KYTX) -- County commissioners are looking for a way to save money on autopsies. They say the growing population, and more deaths, mean sending every case to Dallas is a waste of money.

Commissioners proposed a new contract in their meeting Tuesday morning, which would send most death cases to Forensic Medical Management Services near Winona. Currently, the county sends a large portion of death cases to Southwest Forensics in Dallas, but several Justices of the Peace already send bodies to FMMS. The commissioners say that switch would cut down on a bill that's nearly a quarter of a million dollars every year.

"We are looking for ways to reduce that," precinct 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips said. "Possibly not having to have autopsies for people who die of natural causes. Maybe a doctor could sign off to it."

District Attorney Matt Bingham told commissioners he wants to keep the option of sending homicide cases to Dallas. He said that facility is more capable, and said his office will pay the difference with money raised from prosecuting drug dealers.

The commissioner's court tabled the issue for the time being.

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