Latest news with #MichaelO'Neil
Boston Globe
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Federal judge rules that Rhode Island's gun permit system does not violate 2nd Amendment
According to the statute, local officials are required to issue concealed-carry permits to anyone who meets the specific criteria outlined in the statute. However, it also allows the attorney general's office to issue open-carry permits 'upon a proper showing of need.' Unlike municipalities, the attorney general is not required to issue such permits. Advertisement The plaintiffs, largely led by Michael O'Neil, a lobbyist for the Rhode Island 2nd Amendment Coalition and a firearm instructor, said in their initial complaint that the attorney general's office denied all seven of their applications in 2021 for an 'unrestricted' firearm permit, allowing both open and concealed carry. Court documents show that the attorney general's office denied their permits because all of them had been granted 'restricted' permits, which only allowed concealed carry. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up Smith said in his ruling that unrestricted permits 'are a privilege and there is no constitutionally protected liberty interest in obtaining one.' The plaintiffs had hoped for a similar ruling handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022, where the justices Advertisement Similar to Rhode Island, New York's law had required residents to show an actual need to carry a concealed handgun in public for self-defense. Yet, notably, Smith said in his ruling that the high court's 2022 ruling did not declare that the Second Amendment 'requires open carry,' but even if it did, Rhode Island's law 'is within the Nation's historical tradition of regulation.' Frank Saccoccio, the attorney representing the gun owners, said in an email Monday that they did not believe Smith's decision was in line with the 2022 SCOTUS decision and would be appealing. Timothy Rondeau, a spokesperson for the attorney general's office, said the decision reaffirmed 'the constitutionality of Rhode Island's permitting system for the public carry of handguns.' 'The Attorney General will continue to vigorously defend Rhode Island's gun violence prevention laws to ensure the public safety of all Rhode Islanders,' he said.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Get Well launches AI patient assistant designed to improve post-discharge support
US-based digital patient engagement company Get Well has introduced Opal, an on-demand AI patient assistant designed to enhance the hospital experience and support after discharge. Opal is intended to function as an always-on agent that provides patients with tools to manage their healthcare journey, as well as help with navigating inpatient stays and preparing for discharge. The AI patient assistant offers educational content for patients, their families and caregivers, as well as reminders for follow-up appointments without the need for a separate app. By functioning as an intelligent extension of the care team, it aims to help health systems reduce costs, optimise resources and decrease the likelihood of patient readmissions. Get Well founder and CEO Michael O'Neil said: 'Joining SAIGroup has accelerated Get Well's access to data, technology, and talent to unleash the power of GenAI and agentic AI on reducing friction for patients, empowering caregivers, and delivering more value for health systems at every point in the care continuum. 'Opal is Get Well's first manifestation of a new precision care platform aimed at expanding the power of patient and clinician engagement to improve experience, quality, and cost of care.' The launch of Opal coincides with the demonstration of AI-driven assistants by Get Well and its sister company, RhythmX AI. These assistants have been developed using the precision care platform created by the two companies' parent company, SAIGroup. SAIGroup chair Dr Romesh Wadhwani said: 'With Get Well now part of the SAIGroup family, we're combining the proven strengths of Get Well's Opal agent and RhythmX AI's precision primary care solutions to create the next generation of healthcare innovation - one that thinks, learns, and acts alongside clinicians and patients.' In June 2023, Get Well began working with US-based IT provider CareView Communications in an effort to streamline virtual care for inpatients. "Get Well launches AI patient assistant designed to improve post-discharge support" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
