Falsehood – the autopsies done by the incumbent save money
The incumbent keeps telling audiences that his work saves money. He says that if Jay Ledbetter is elected, the costs of the autopsies in Arapahoe County will cost millions of dollars more.
Truth – The incumbent’s autopsies are the most expensive, and counties which don’t have doctors as the Coroner have autopsies which are actually less expensive.
There has been a study done by a candidate for Coroner in Douglas County, which shows the relative costs of autopsies in several metro counties.
Look for yourself. You don’t have to believe us. Click [here]
Truth – the incumbent is doing six times the national average of autopsies in Arapahoe County.
In a number of papers written in the American Medical Association Journal, researchers have concluded that the national average of autopsies being done is around 12%.
At teaching hospitals, where medical students learn their skills, the average is understandably higher, at around 30%.
But the incumbent’s own reports indicate that he is averaging about 75%. He has admitted that number in a number of candidate forums, as well.
Let’s take one county in the metro area for a comparison. Jefferson county is reporting doing autopsies in only 10%.
What makes such a difference when a person happens to die in Jefferson County, rather than in Arapahoe County? In Arapahoe County, the Coroner is a doctor, and he does what he does best… lots, and lots, and lots of autopsies.
People very familiar with the incumbent and his office offer the opinion that a number of autopsies in that office are unnecessary, and the same result (and accuracy) could be obtained simply by properly utilizing good death investigation.
If we just reduce the number of autopsies done in Arapahoe County to only three times the national average, then we will be able to do them with only one doctor on staff, rather than two. That alone will save considerable tax dollars.
And when Jay Ledbetter is elected, he will refuse the current Coroner’s obscene salary, and will accept the statutory salary of $87,300. That act alone will save the county more than $130,000 on the first day he takes office.
