Latest news with #JoelThomas
CBS News
6 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
New push to improve access to fertility treatment
In vitro fertilization (IVF) brings hope to families but at a cost many cannot afford. President Donald Trump recently put the issue under a microscope, ordering top leaders to look at ways to make fertility treatments more accessible. The struggle is one Marianett Navarro and her husband Joel Thomas are intimately familiar with. Navarro battled endometriosis for years and that led to a diagnosis of scar tissue blocking her fallopian tubes. "I need to have IVF because the tubes are obstructed, so the process wasn't naturally gonna be there," Navarro explained. That diagnosis brought hope until another setback. Their insurance would not cover IVF. "So, it was a gut punch because we're like, 'Oh, you know, we're good, we're fully insured. We'll figure it out,' but no," Thomas said. IVF cost out of reach for some In vitro fertilization is a common option for couples struggling to conceive. One cycle can cost $15,000 to $20,000, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. While more employers are offering coverage, 29 states, including Florida, do not require insurance to cover it. For these two South Florida school teachers, the cost felt nearly impossible. "So it wasn't just about, 'Oh we're gonna save money and we're gonna try this'. It was about how we need to find money now, because we're never gonna have a better chance than now," Navarro said. Fertility help for families That's where BabyQuest came in. The California-based nonprofit offers grants to help cover IVF costs for families like Navarro and Thomas. "Not everybody is affected by this, but more people than you can imagine are," Pamela Hirsch, who founded the nonprofit 14 years ago, said. In that time, the group awarded $3.5 million in IVF grants. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine said it's time the financial barriers to fertility treatment get the attention from decision-makers and stakeholders. "I think it's important to know we are not asking for special treatment. We want infertility and other reproductive disorders to be treated like other kinds of medical care," Sean Tipton, chief advocacy and policy officer, said. As for Navarro and Thomas, they're excited to start their IVF journey this summer, thanks to BabyQuest. They hope more families will get the same chance. "I wanna be one of the lucky ones that gets to have a little life and develop that into something great for the world. It's everything," Navarro said. Trump ordered the new IVF plan to be complete in 90 days which landed in mid-May. We reached out to the White House for an update and a spokesperson sent us the following statement: "The Domestic Policy Council has worked closely with external stakeholder groups for nearly three months to deliver on President Trump's executive order to formulate a plan on expanding IVF access for American families. This is a key priority for President Trump, and the Domestic Policy Council has completed its recommendations."
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Conyers couple faces heartbreak after fire claims home and beloved dog
The Brief While at the emergency room with their toddler Bennett, who had a high fever, the Conyers couple lost their home and dog in a fire. The fire engulfed their house, leading to the loss of their golden retriever/husky mix, Bella, and their home, which they had spent six years building. Hayley and Joel Thomas express gratitude for their family's safety despite the tragedy and receive community support, including a GoFundMe page to assist them. CONYERS, Ga. - A couple is trying to put their lives back together after they lose their dog and their home in a fire. The Conyers couple was at the emergency room with their toddler at the time. What we know Little Bennett Thomas had a temperature of 103 degrees on Saturday. So his parents, Hayley and Joel Thomas, rushed him to the emergency room. "Our 18-month-old started running a fever," Hayley Thomas said. "He was getting very lethargic. You get a gut feeling as a parent it was time to take him to the emergency room," said Joel Thomas. What they're saying As soon as they pulled up to the hospital, the couple got even worse news: "[A call] from 911, we knew instantly something wasn't okay. They said our house was on fire," Hayley Thomas said. The Rockdale County Fire Department confirms the flames erupted Saturday afternoon in the 700 block of Sage Lane NW. The couple hurried back home. Their golden retriever/husky mix, Bella, was still inside. "We screamed to get the dog out. But they said our house was completely engulfed in flames," Hayley Thomas said. Bella didn't make it. "Heartbroken. Our dog was my first baby, I had her before we even got married," Hayley Thomas said. Their house was a total loss, the couple's lives ripped out from under them. "It just feels like we've taken some steps back," Joel Thomas said. "We saw our last six years of hard work, pouring our life, what we've been working hard on be ripped from us." Hayley and Joel say they're devastated but thankful. "Thankful, thankful that my child I worked so hard for wasn't inside, thankful that my husband was standing next to me," Hayley Thomas said. "Despite what's going on, we're doing really good. We're blessed to have a family intact," Joel Thomas said. "I feel like a fever was given to my boy to get us out of the house." Bennett had an ear infection. The couple says he's doing fine. What we don't know The cause of the fire is under investigation. What you can do The couple thanks everyone who has helped them during this difficult time. There's also a GoFundMe page if you'd like to help: Fundraiser by Seth Bagwell : Help Hayley & Joel After Fire Tragedy The Source FOX 5's Christopher King spoke with Hayley Thomas, whose house burned down as she rushed her toddler to the hospital.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police: Marijuana in deadly Warwick overdose was not laced with fentanyl
WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — It turns out the marijuana that a woman smoked prior to her death in Warwick earlier this month was not laced with fentanyl, 12 News has learned. Warwick Police Major Joel Thomas told 12 News a toxicology report on the cannabis confirmed that it did not contain the dangerous synthetic opioid. Thomas said investigators are still waiting on the woman's toxicology report, which will reveal whether there were any other substances in her system at the time of her death. SEE ALSO: Pawtucket man gets 40 years for causing woman's deadly overdose The 27-year-old woman overdosed and was pronounced dead at a hotel in Warwick on April 3, according to police. Detectives initially warned that the marijuana was not purchased from a licensed dispensary and was believed to be laced with fentanyl. 'We believe this to be a one-off occurrence,' Thomas said, noting that there haven't been any other overdoses involving potentially-laced marijuana in the city. Thomas told 12 News detectives have a number of leads and are trying to track down where the marijuana came from. 'We are investigating this in a manner where Kristen's Law may apply, and if so, we will prosecute,' he said. 'Kristen's Law,' was enacted in 2018 and named after Kristen Coutu, a Cranston woman who died of a fentanyl overdose. The law's intent is to hold drug dealers accountable for fatal overdoses by charging them with controlled substance delivery resulting in death. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
19-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Joel Thomas leaves Giants for reunion with Saints
The New York Giants are in the market for a running backs coach for the fifth consecutive year. After just one season under head coach Brian Daboll, Joel Thomas has decided to leave East Rutherford and rejoin the New Orleans Saints in a lateral move. Reunion: Longtime #Saints RB coach Joel Thomas, who spent last season with the #Giants, is returning to New Orleans on Kellen Moore's staff, sources tell The Insiders. Thomas is highly regarded and recently served as offensive coordinator in the Senior Bowl. — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 18, 2025 Thomas spent nine years as the running backs coach in New Orleans before joining the Giants in 2024. In his lone season, he oversaw the development of rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr., who finished the year as the team's starter, taking over for veteran Devin Singletary. Thomas' exit is the latest in a cycle for the Giants, who have also lost running back coaches DeAndre Smith (to the Indianapolis Colts) and Jeff Nixon (to Syracuse) under Daboll. Before that, Burton Burns (2020-21) served as the position coach but was let go after Joe Judge was fired. Earlier this offseason, Thomas was among a slew of Giants coaches to join a Senior Bowl staff. He served as offensive coordinator of the American Team. The Giants are now on the hunt for a replacement.
