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                                                                  Exhibit 10.8

                              HEALTHGATE DATA CORP.



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                  Re:  Severance Benefit

Dear ______;

         This letter is to confirm the severance benefit recently adopted by the
Board of Directors of HealthGate Data Corp. for you.

         In consideration of your services to date and your continuing services
to HealthGate, in the event that HealthGate terminates your employment without
"Cause" (as defined below), you shall be entitled to the following payments from
HealthGate:

              (i)       all amounts accrued and unpaid to you through the
                        termination date, including any base salary, and accrued
                        but unused vacation, holiday or sick time; and

              (ii)      severance payments comprising your then current base
                        salary and your then current health care coverage
                        continuing for six (6) months from the date of
                        termination. To the extent that health care coverage
                        cannot by its terms be continued, HealthGate shall
                        reimburse you for the actual premium costs of obtaining
                        such coverage under COBRA or comparable coverage under
                        non-group insurance, if less.

         Severance benefit payments shall be made on a schedule consistent with
HealthGate's payroll policies and shall be subject to applicable tax deductions
and withholdings.

         For the purposes of this severance benefit, "Cause" means:

              (i)       willful breach or habitual neglect of the duties you are
                        required or reasonably requested to perform which are
                        not cured by you within 10 days of written notice from
                        the Company of such breach or neglect;

              (ii)      any illegal act by you injurious to the business or
                        reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates;

              (iii)     your engagement in misconduct injurious or potentially
                        injurious to the business or reputation of the Company
                        or any of its affiliates;

              (iv)      your commission of any crime which constitutes a felony
                        in the jurisdiction committed (whether or not involving
                        the Company or any of its affiliates); or

              (v)       a material breach by Executive of Company policies or
                        procedures.


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         This letter only sets forth the severance benefit payable to you if
HealthGate elects to terminate your employment without Cause and this letter
does not constitute an employment agreement or otherwise change the terms and
conditions of your employment.

                                            Sincerely,

                                            HEALTHGATE DATA CORP.


                                            By:
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                                                William S. Reece