Latest news with #McComas
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Terminally Ill Man Fights for Right to Medical Aid in Dying, Seeks Control Over His Final Days: 'Prefer to Die Painlessly'
Jeff McComas, who lives in Minnesota, was diagnosed with terminal intestinal cancer and wants to travel to Colorado, where medical aid in dying is legal The 55-year-old is unable to end his life through Colorado's End-of-Life Options Act because the law requires in-state residency McComas and two Colorado physicians are now suing Colorado, claiming the law is discriminatory and unconstitutionalA terminally ill Minnesota man is suing Colorado, claiming that the state's ban on assisting out-of-state residents with medical aid in dying is unconstitutional. Jeff McComas, a retired engineer from Woodbury, Minnesota, was diagnosed with stage 4 intestinal cancer in January 2023. With chemotherapy, the 55-year-old was able to give himself more time. However, doctors informed him that his disease is terminal. 'The news came as a shock, and my family and I were in a state of disbelief. We have gone from shock to denial and anger, to negotiating, and finally to acceptance,' he said in a statement. 'While the side effects of cancer and its treatments can be burdensome, I fight through them, try not to complain and make the best of my time.' 'But even with my phenomenal medical team, my options in Minnesota are limited. I'll never be 'cancer free' or in remission. And at some point, the chemo will stop being effective, and either my cancer will continue spreading or the tumors will grow in size. I don't want a long, drawn-out end. I didn't pick this road, but I'm on it, and I want control in deciding when I've suffered enough.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. McComas said he wants the option of medical aid in dying (MAID). However, it's not available in his home state — a fact that he calls 'madness.' So, McComas said he wants the option to travel to Colorado, where the End-of-Life Options Act went into effect in 2016. The law allows patients with terminal illnesses to end their lives with lethal medication — without supervision of their medical team. It's different from euthanasia because the patients themselves administer prescribed drugs to end their lives, rather than a doctor. Euthanasia is illegal in the United States. In addition to Colorado, MAID laws have been authorized in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey and New Mexico. However, to qualify in Colorado, individuals must be residents of the state. 'If the pain from my disease becomes unbearable, I want the option of medical aid in dying,' McComas said in a statement. 'Since I cannot die on my own terms where I live, I should have the option of traveling to Colorado to access the care there. Right now that option does not exist.' is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! On May 22, nonprofit organization Compassion & Choices filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of McComas and two Colorado physicians. The complaint argues that the residency requirement of Colorado's End-of-Life Options Act violates the U.S. Constitution's Privileges and Immunities Clause which 'prohibits State officials from restricting non-resident visitors' access to medical care within its borders absent a substantial State interest and restrictions narrowly tailored to those interests.' Additionally, the filing also claims that it violates the U.S. Constitution's Commerce Clause, which prohibits state laws that discriminate against interstate commerce by preventing providers from providing specific and appropriate medical services to otherwise qualified patients who are non-Colorado residents. 'The law is discriminatory. Appropriate health care options should not be denied to someone based on their zip code,' Jess Pezley, Compassion & Choices' senior staff attorney, said in a release. 'Firsthand experience from countless doctors and patients, and decades of data, make it clear that the residency restriction functions more as a barrier to access than as a safeguard.' Dr. Barbara Morris and Dr. Jennifer Harbert, the physicians who brought on the lawsuit along with McComas, have both prescribed medical aid in dying medications to Colorado residents. However, they said they're often contacted by out-of-state residents seeking the same care. 'I regularly hear from people who live outside Colorado and want to come here for help with medical aid in dying,' said Morris. 'But under current law, I face the threat of criminal prosecution and civil liability if I offer non-residents the same compassionate care I provide to Colorado residents. That defies logic.' 'As the law is currently written, I cannot provide the same medical care that I deem appropriate to non-Colorado residents,' added Harbert. 'I am simply saying that all the patients I treat in Colorado should have access to the same care.' ! The lawsuit asks the court to prohibit Colorado officials from enforcing the residency provision of the law, which limits access to medical aid in dying. McComas explained that although he wants the option to travel to Colorado for MAID, the ultimate goal is to have the option available in Minnesota. 'I need Minnesota to pass a medical aid-in-dying bill soon,' he said. 'I won't see 2030. I want to be empowered to make my own end-of-life decisions, not having the medical community fighting to keep me alive one more painful day. 'If the end is here, I'm of the mindset that it is better a day too soon than a week too late,' McComas continued. 'I need to be allowed to pick the day and manner of my choosing, and have my wife and children at my side. I will not slowly, painfully, inexorably pass away. I will be in charge of my own passing. I'm willing to do what it takes and travel, but I'd much prefer to die painlessly in our home in Minnesota.' Read the original article on People
CBS News
25-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
Collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge impacted half of area residents, report finds
Almost one year later, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge continues to impact nearly half of all Baltimore-area residents, according to a report by Johns Hopkins University. The Key Bridge collapsed on March 26, 2024, after it was struck by a container ship, the Dali, which had lost power. Six construction workers were killed after falling into the Patapsco River. The deadly bridge collapse impacted almost every aspect of life for residents in the Baltimore region. Some nearby residents were blocked by debris and wreckage, business owners experienced dips in traffic and access to the Port of Baltimore was limited, causing delays in imports and exports, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. About 3,500 commuters used the bridge each day, and the collapse led to long-term traffic issues, Johns Hopkins University reported. As part of its 2024 Baltimore Area Survey, Johns Hopkins University researchers asked 934 city and 558 county residents how the bridge collapse affected their lives, how well the government responded and how long they expect the rebuild to take. The survey took place between September 2024 and November 2024, detailing how residents felt about six to eight months after the bridge collapse. According to the report, about 36% of Baltimore City and County residents said they found it harder to visit family and friends, run errands, and get to work since the collapse of the Key Bridge. "The collapse was akin to a natural disaster striking the city, causing unexpected disruptions to people's lives and well-being," said co-author Mac McComas , program manager of the 21st Century Cities Initiative. "As with a natural disaster, it is important to know the extent to which people are impacted in the aftermath and whether certain populations are impacted more than others." According to the report, people who lived closest to the Key Bridge were most impacted. More than 60% of survey participants who lived within three miles of the bridge said it still affected their daily lives six to eight months later. About 40% of those who lived more than 15 miles away said their daily lives were still being disrupted, with 4% saying they were affected "a great deal." The data showed there were no racial or economic disparities between the responses. "...In the instance of the Key Bridge collapse, the impact was broad and widespread across racial and socioeconomic groups, demonstrating how crucial of a role the Key Bridge played in the daily lives of many Baltimore-area residents," McComas said. The majority of Baltimore City and County residents who participated in the survey said the government response to the bridge collapse was sufficient. According to the report, more than half of the Baltimore-area residents surveyed said the government's response to the collapse was sufficient. Most of the participants said local, state and federal agencies did a "fair" or "moderate" job helping individuals who were affected by the bridge collapse. About 30% said the government did a "good" or very good" job. The survey also found that residents who were affected by the bridge collapse were more likely to report a negative view of the government. The survey revealed that about nine out of 10 respondents expressed confidence that the local, state and federal governments would be able to rebuild the Key Bridge, though many said it would take longer than the planned four-year timeline. About 70% of participants said they had some degree of confidence in the local, state and federal governments' ability to do what is needed to rebuild the bridge quickly. However, some residents indicated that they do not fully trust the government's reported timeline. According to the report, about 73% of participants who were shown the anticipated timeline think it will take longer than four years to rebuild, compared to about 65% who were not shown the timeline. Reconstruction of Baltimore's Key Bridge is expected to be completed in the fall of 2028. Maryland leaders estimate it will cost about $2 billion. In February, state leaders shared their vision for the new bridge , saying it would look similar to the original but would have improvements to the structure. The new Key Bridge is also expected to be about 45-feet taller, and its cable stay design will allow for an expanded federal shipping channel. The changes will leave more room for ship traffic. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has approved several contracts for construction. Some pre-construction activities, like home inspections and soil sample collections, began in January 2025. Officials said the process is expected to take several months. Officials said the demolition of the remaining pieces of the Key Bridge will begin in the spring, just before construction.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Round Lake Beach grand ‘reopening' party is June 9
If you go What: Round Lake Reopening Party When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9 (lifeguards on duty until 7 p.m.) Where: Round Lake beach Hours will be: 1-4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday More: Beth Witt, aquatics and fitness coordinator said, 'There will be T-shirt tie dying from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The first 150 kids will receive a free shirt, and kids are also welcome to bring their own.' Mayor Phil Young is set to serve root beer floats, and Bob and the Beachcombers will provide entertainment from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All families may enter to win a $250 'bucket of summer fun;' participants must be present to 952-949-8447. By Sarah Schewe What had been one of Eden Prairie's most popular beaches has been off limits to swimmers for about three years. But Round Lake beach will be reopening for swimming on Saturday, June 9. After closing early for several summers, Eden Prairie ended swimming following the 2003 season so the city could address water quality concerns, exotic weed species and an imbalanced fish population. Reopening was put off while the city mounted a comprehensive clean-up and remediation program led by Steve McComas, 'the Lake Detective.' McComas has worked on lakes throughout the state and has been implementing strategies to improve water quality at Round Lake. According to McComas, 'Every city with lakes is dealing with this right now.' No residents had become sick from using the lake, but there were health and lake quality concerns, including fecal contamination from geese, algal blooms and exotic weed species. Leslie Stovring, environmental coordinator for the city, noted that usage of the lake had been dropping. Stovring said the city has spent $17,000 on Round Lake this year and $25,000 on improving water quality last year. The city's efforts have made the lake safe, but, Stovring said, 'If you're expecting clear blue water with a sandy bottom, [Round Lake is] not going to be the one to go to. It's a lake, not a pool.' Sue Weyrauch, an Eden Prairie resident, remembers enjoying Round Lake with her nephews before its closure, but also said, 'I just don't know if they've found a permanent solution … If the geese end up being a problem again, I'm not sure how many times they should try and reopen; at some point maybe it's better off as a geese habitat.' Geese are not the only contributor to fecal coliform levels. Round Lake has the least surface area of the 12 lakes measured in Eden Prairie's Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District, and is 10th in terms of volume. The mean depth of the lake is just 11 feet. The shallowness in addition to other factors, including human diapers, contributed to the high bacterial counts that led to the closing. Unlike fecal coliform, algal bloom poses no health threats, but as Steve McComas explained, 'When the algae is too thick it's not a pleasant swimming experience.' The excessive algal bloom had likely contributed to the decline in Round Lake's use. Algal bloom is caused by high phosphorous levels in lakes, often the result of fertilizer from surrounding lawns that leaches into the lake. To reduce the algal bloom, the city is upgrading and adding to its storm water ponds, and installing barley straw to naturally repress phosphorus. McComas hopes there will be an overall 50 percent reduction before the water drains into Round Lake. To keep Round Lake usable, park users should be mindful of their actions: by picking up pet droppings, pet owners help prevent feces from washing into the lake; park users should not feed geese to avoid attracting birds to the area; trash can also be a meal for birds, so picking up litter is important; finally, parents should make sure children using diapers are appropriately outfitted with swim diapers to keep feces from contaminating the lake. As Stovring said, 'Round Lake is an important feature in our city, so we definitely want to do what we can to keep it clean.' Sarah Schewe is an intern with the .
