Medical students and interns/residents from the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation’s oldest and largest independent association for more than 67,000 physicians-in-training, are now available to answer online health questions from the public for free on Healia Communities (http://communities.healia.com).
Where once people looked to friends and acquaintances for advice on topics such as where to find reputable medical information and what kind of doctor to visit for a particular set of symptoms, a trained group of medical students will now be available to answer many of people’s common health questions. Healia and medical students are working together to make trusted health information available — anywhere, anytime, and at no cost.
“The problem is that many people are rightly hesitant to use the Web for health questions because they have little or no confidence that their questions will be answered by someone who is actually qualified to do so,” said Tom Eng, Founder and President of Healia. “Through this partnership with AMSA, we hope that people will take advantage of this unique opportunity to get trusted information and learned insight from doctors-in-training who are actively studying the latest research and developments in medical science.”
In addition to asking health questions, Healia Communities members can share their experiences and knowledge and make connections with others who have similar health interests and concerns. There are more than 250 active communities including allergy, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, breast cancer, diabetes, exercise and fitness, heart diseases and weight management. [24×7]
Internet Poker? No Deal for Evergreen State
Former gubernatorial candidate, lawyer, and Poker Players Alliance (PPA) regional director for the state of Washington, Lee Rousso lost his appeal lasy Monday to remove the law that makes playing online poker a Class C felony in Washington State, by a unanimous decision by three judges of the Division I Court of Appeals.
Rousso challenged the 2006 law that makes playing online poker the same penalty as possessing child pornography, stalking, drive by shootings, threatening the governor, family abandonment, heroin possession and unauthorized abortions. Persons convicted of a Class C felony face a maximum of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
He originally filed his lawsuit on the first day of the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event, saying that the ban doesn’t put the state in compliance with the Federal Wire Act as it claims to do. Instead, he claimed it protects Washington’s own in-state gambling industry (which includes live card rooms and casinos that contribute to state revenues) from online poker competition. Thus it violates the Commerce Clause contained within the constitution which prohibits individual states from enacting laws that discriminate against interstate businesses.
Last May, a King County Superior Court judge ruled against Rousso, while 70 supporters of online poker rallied outside the courthouse.
The unanimous decision by three judges of the Division I Court of Appeals on Monday came with the comment that the state’s interest in regulating gambling outweighs the burdens on interstate commerce.
Rousso says he intends to appeal to the state Supreme Court. “Given the constitutional issues, I think there’s a good chance they’ll take a look at it.”
He’s also looking forward to actions to be taken at the level of the federal government. In particular, the bill that House Finance Committee chairman Barney Frank has announced he will soon file, to overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), the federal law prohibiting financial institutions from handling transactions between US residents and internet gambling companies.
“Under the Bush Administration, there wasn’t a lot he could do,” Rousso told the Seattle Weekly. But poker supporters believe that the Obama administration will be more receptive. “Barack Obama is a poker player. He’s made statements that we think are favorable towards internet poker. My understanding is that Barney Frank is going to introduce a bill this month to repeal the UIGEA.” [24×7]
Get more info in the Seattle24x7 blog
