Mich. dad told to pay for child's birth or wed mom

[Ban Hammer 13,643]

FLINT, Mich. – The state of Michigan is giving a father a choice: pay the medical cost of his daughter's birth or marry the girl's mother.

Gary Johnson was billed $3,800 for the birth of his daughter JaeLyn, The Flint Journal reported in Sunday online editions. Johnson is not married to the child's mother, Rebecca Witt.

The Michigan Legislature amended the state's paternity act five years ago to waive birthing costs for a father, if he married the child's mother. A year later, Witt gave birth to JaeLyn. The state paid for the hospital costs because Witt was on Medicaid at the time and is now trying to recover the money.

Jack Battles, the Genesee County Friend of the Court, said the law is an incentive to maintain the sanctity of marriage.

"It's totally up to them," said Battles, whose office enforces paternity rulings, child support and other aspects of family law. Until Johnson can produce a marriage license, "they have to pay."

Johnson and Witt said they want to marry eventually, but Witt said she wants her marriage date to be her choice.

"I don't think anybody should tell me when to get married," said Witt. "I would like to have a nice wedding, and I can wait for it."

Witt and Johnson said they have been struggling since the state started coming after Johnson for the hospital costs. Johnson said he was told he would be billed $500 a month and planned to meet with a caseworker to work out a solution.

"Losing just $10 hurts us," said Johnson, who makes $8 an hour at a Grand Blanc-area nursery. "We don't have a car, we don't even have an oven."

Johnson said he understood the state wants to promote marriage for parents but he respects Witt's position. "It's a woman's dream to have the best wedding she can have," he said.

link

my thoughts - he should be required to pay half of the hospital bill, not all of it.

[Nagishkaw 510]

[NickD 203]

Why should the taxpayers pay for his fun and they should pay for it whether they are married or not. My state claims the two biggest bills and the reason why they are 6 billion in a hole is because of Medicaid and education, for the most part, sent my kids to a private school so they can get a decent education and paid for their health care. We talk about not liking socialistic government, but we sure have one. Tired of paying for other peoples' kids, a good penalty would be to cut off the guys thingy.

[msu17 0]

I just don't understand how this promotes the sanctity of marriage? Join in the holy institution of marriage or else be forced to pay up? Doesn't seem to be fostering good marriages.

[msu17 0]

Why should the taxpayers pay for his fun and they should pay for it whether they are married or not. My state claims the two biggest bills and the reason why they are 6 billion in a hole is because of Medicaid and education, for the most part, sent my kids to a private school so they can get a decent education and paid for their health care. We talk about not liking socialistic government, but we sure have one. Tired of paying for other peoples' kids, a good penalty would be to cut off the guys thingy.

Ok sorry, I understand not wanting to pay for others children and all, but not having public schooling is just stupid. You deny an education to those who are too poor and those whose parents don't think its worth it/too expensive. The general population is stupid enough without having kids who never went to school

[Ban Hammer 13,643]

Why should the taxpayers pay for his fun and they should pay for it whether they are married or not. My state claims the two biggest bills and the reason why they are 6 billion in a hole is because of Medicaid and education, for the most part, sent my kids to a private school so they can get a decent education and paid for their health care. We talk about not liking socialistic government, but we sure have one. Tired of paying for other peoples' kids, a good penalty would be to cut off the guys thingy.

my thoughts are it takes two to tango, so why should he pay the entire bill? isn't the mother responsible for half of it?

[NickD 203]

Why should the taxpayers pay for his fun and they should pay for it whether they are married or not. My state claims the two biggest bills and the reason why they are 6 billion in a hole is because of Medicaid and education, for the most part, sent my kids to a private school so they can get a decent education and paid for their health care. We talk about not liking socialistic government, but we sure have one. Tired of paying for other peoples' kids, a good penalty would be to cut off the guys thingy.

Ok sorry, I understand not wanting to pay for others children and all, but not having public schooling is just stupid. You deny an education to those who are too poor and those whose parents don't think its worth it/too expensive. The general population is stupid enough without having kids who never went to school

You're talking to a guy that worked his way out of the slums in Chicago, that was possible when this country had opportunity. Ironically, my kids got a better education at a private school paying teachers $11,000 per year as opposed to public school teachers earning more than twice that amount. Call it double jeopardy, had to pay for both. But that is a whole different can of worms as to how inefficient and expensive public education has become. Twelve bucks an hour to babysit your kids is the going rate when that guy can't even earn eight bucks an hour.

Unfortunately, it doesn't take a PH.d to bring kids into this world, but sure takes one to support them. Our state was paying women to have babies, that is really costing us now, 75% of the Milwaukee School district is paid by other people in the state. And why are people poor? Lack of opportunity, or are they just too damn lazy? In the last seven years, our state is holding the father responsible for support of those babies, and if a minor child is involved, have the grandparent act, they pay the bill, but just a little a bit way too late.

[Emancipation 2]

holding my tongue.. holding my tongue..

[Ban Hammer 13,643]

holding my tongue.. holding my tongue..

oh come on.........

[natty bumppo 297]

He want's to throw a party (wedding) instead of paying his bills. What's wrong with visiting the town hall and doing a simple civil ceremony?

The dude has priority problems.

[Amby 490]

the man should not be responsible for the entire bill. #######?

[Ban Hammer 13,643]

the man should not be responsible for the entire bill. #######?

why should he be?

[Amby 490]

the man should not be responsible for the entire bill. #######?

why should he be?

I was wtfing at them saying he was. should have added more after the #######. too many kids running around screaming. sounds like a riot is happening in my house. god helpe me.

Edited January 19, 2009 by Amby

[Ban Hammer 13,643]

the man should not be responsible for the entire bill. #######?

why should he be?

I was wtfing at them saying he was. should have added more after the #######. too many kids running around screaming. sounds like a riot is happening in my house. god helpe me.

did your mom turn the place into a daycare over the weekend?

[Amby 490]

the man should not be responsible for the entire bill. #######?

why should he be?

I was wtfing at them saying he was. should have added more after the #######. too many kids running around screaming. sounds like a riot is happening in my house. god helpe me.

did your mom turn the place into a daycare over the weekend?

yessssssssssssss...mondays = hell day because all the little kids come over...plus we got snow and there's no school today so there's 2 extra older ones plus one of their friends

Edited January 19, 2009 by Amby