We all know that AI and robotics are coming to healthcare. It’s inevitable.

This is particularly true when it comes to caring for our seniors. Nursing homes are stretched thin when it comes to resources. We’ve all heard horror stories about inadequate care and supervision in some nursing homes.

And then we have the issue of home care. Most seniors want to stay home, but this can put a tremendous burdon of families.

So this is an area where AI, healthtech and robots can make a big different, and in many ways not take away jobs.

One such product is ElliQ, an AI-powered companion robot developed by Intuition Robotics (an Israel-based company with offices in the US and elsewhere). It’s specifically designed to support older adults, seniors, and aging loved ones in living healthier, happier, and more independent lives at home. Launched commercially around 2022, it’s marketed as a proactive “sidekick” that combats loneliness, promotes wellness, and provides daily companionship without requiring a smartphone, computer, or constant human input.

Physically, ElliQ resembles a small, tabletop device with a movable, emotive “head” (a lamp-like screen that tilts, lights up, and expresses emotions through movement and color) combined with a built-in display for visuals like video calls, photos, or activities. It uses voice activation, natural conversation, sounds, lights, and a touch screen for interaction. Unlike passive assistants (e.g., Alexa), ElliQ is proactive. It initiates conversations, checks in throughout the day (like “How are you feeling this morning?”), suggests activities, and builds a relationship over time by learning user preferences.

Some might find this creepy of course. AI companions are already a controversial subject, so this won’t be for everyone. We will need all sorts of safeguards over time as the AI becomes more powerful.

But the potential here is worth pursuing. The AI will get better, and the robotics will get better. We can revolutionize senior care with these types of devices, which will then make the human worker support even more effective.

The NY Times has a story of one elderly woman who is benefitting from having her ElliQ at home. Over time we can learn what works and what doesn’t, and also deal with problems as they arise.

This industry will be exploding and it will be fascinating to see how it develops.

Navigating the U.S. healthcare system can feel overwhelming, with rising costs, complex insurance plans, and endless choices about care. Yet, understanding your options is key to getting the best treatment while keeping expenses in check. Whether you’re managing routine checkups, unexpected emergencies, or chronic conditions, knowing how to access quality care affordably empowers you to take control of your health. Here’s a straightforward guide, shaped by 2025 healthcare policies and trends, to help the average consumer make smart decisions about services, insurance, and costs.

Understanding Healthcare Services: What’s Available to You

Healthcare services cover everything from preventing illness to treating urgent needs, and each type serves a unique purpose in keeping you healthy. Preventive care, like annual physicals, flu shots, or cancer screenings, is often fully covered by insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act. These visits catch problems early, saving you money by avoiding costly treatments later. For example, a mammogram detecting early-stage breast cancer can reduce treatment costs by up to 50 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.

Primary care doctors handle everyday health issues, such as colds, diabetes management, or blood pressure checks, acting as your first stop for coordinated care. Specialists, like cardiologists or dermatologists, tackle specific conditions, while emergency rooms are for critical situations like heart attacks or broken bones. Urgent care clinics offer a cheaper alternative for non-life-threatening issues, like sprains or infections, often costing $150 versus $1,500 for an ER visit. Mental health services, including therapy or counseling, are now more accessible due to expanded insurance coverage under federal parity laws. To choose wisely, talk to your primary care doctor about which services match your health needs, ensuring you get the right care at the right cost.

Choosing the Right Health Insurance: Finding Affordable Coverage

Insurance is your safety net, but picking the right plan can be tricky. Employer-based plans, covering most working Americans, often have lower premiums but may come with high deductibles, meaning you pay more upfront before coverage kicks in. Marketplace plans, available through Healthcare.gov, offer options for those without employer coverage, with subsidies cutting premiums by 40 percent or more for households earning up to 400 percent of the poverty line, about $55,000 for a single person in 2025.

Medicare serves people 65 and older or with certain disabilities, covering hospital stays (Part A), doctor visits (Part B), and prescriptions (Part D), with private Medicare Advantage plans bundling these for added convenience. Medicaid provides low-cost or free coverage for low-income families, varying by state but often including preventive care at no cost. When choosing a plan, check if your preferred doctors and hospitals are in-network to avoid surprise bills. Look at monthly premiums versus out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, which can range from $500 to $7,000, to find a balance that fits your budget.

Managing Healthcare Costs: Keeping Expenses Under Control

Healthcare costs are a major concern, with the average family spending $12,000 annually on premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, per the Kaiser Family Foundation. Premiums are your monthly insurance payments, while deductibles are what you pay before insurance covers most services. Copays, typically $20 to $50 per visit, and coinsurance, a percentage of costs, add up quickly. To save money, ask providers for price estimates upfront— federal transparency rules in 2025 require hospitals to post costs online.

Health savings accounts (HSAs) let you save pretax dollars (up to $4,150 for individuals) for medical expenses, offering tax savings and flexibility. Payment plans from doctors or hospitals can spread out bills interest-free, while generic drugs, which cost 80 percent less than brand-name versions, are a smart choice. If uninsured, look for free clinics or hospital charity programs, which serve millions annually. Always review medical bills for errors— studies show 80 percent contain mistakes that could cost you hundreds.

Extra Help and Resources: Making the System Work for You

Beyond insurance and services, resources can make healthcare more accessible. Telehealth, now widely covered by Medicare and private plans, lets you consult doctors virtually, saving time and often costing less than in-person visits. Community health centers offer affordable care, especially in underserved areas, serving over 30 million patients yearly. Websites like Healthcare.gov or CMS.gov provide tools to compare plans and find local providers. Patient navigators, often available through hospitals or nonprofits, can help you understand bills or appeal insurance denials, ensuring you get the care you’re entitled to.

Taking Charge of Your Healthcare

The healthcare system may seem daunting, but with the right knowledge, you can make choices that keep you healthy and financially secure. Start by exploring covered preventive services, comparing insurance plans carefully, and using cost-saving tools like HSAs or telehealth. Stay informed about policy changes, such as expanded subsidies, that could lower your costs. By asking questions and tapping available resources, you’ll navigate healthcare with confidence, ensuring quality care without breaking the bank.

IBM had high hopes for its Watson Healthcare unit, but other big tech players like Microsoft and Google have seen more success. As a result, IBM will sell the healthcare data and analytics assets housed under its Watson Health unit to private equity firm Francisco Partners.

The healthtech field is booming, as more companies attempt to use technology and AI to assist in health diagnostics and treatment. Coupled with the Zoom revolution, the way we deliver healthcare will change dramatically over the coming decade. In that respect this is an operational failure by IBM. The opportunity is there but they didn’t execute. Perhaps Francisco Partners can find the right formula to make this a successful business.

The federal government’s response to the Covid-19 crisis is a disgrace. We need a national plan that includes mandatory mask policies.

While soda consumption continues to fall, sugary drinks are still very popular, and Americans consume WAY too much. Sports drinks have replaced sodas for many consumers, but these drinks are also loaded with sugar. More cities are implementing soda taxes, and hopefully this will start having an impact over time.

The future is here.

For years we’ve been contemplating the role that computers could have in the medical field, and of course there have been gadgets and software that have made an impact in healthcare. Providing information at a doctor’s fingertips has become easier through the years, but now the breakthroughs are accelerating.

The key development involves artificial intelligence, and the ability of computers to diagnose illnesses and make recommendations or provide options for treatments.

IBM is one of the leaders with its Watson supercomputer, which is now being applied to medical care, particularly cancer treatment.

One of the keys is that the AI supercomputer can absorb incredible amounts of data, like new medical trials and journals. 8,000 new research papers are published every day, and Watson can gobble those up, and then analyze the information, detect patterns, and apply that knowledge to new fact patterns and data points.

Hopefully, we will see this accelerate. In the near future, every doctor visit, even routine ones, can have a quick “Watson review” so that the AI computer can absorb the patient’s symptoms, scans, blood work and history. In most cases this will just confirm the doctor’s recommendation, but in some cases the AI computer might flag an issue. And then of course, in more complex cases like cancer and other diseases, support from the AI computer will be essential.

In the video above, Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt discusses what he sees as big breakthroughs in health and technology, including personalized medicine.

Facts are a pesky thing. And the facts are clear that healthcare costs are rising at historically low rates since the introduction of Obamacare.

Jonathan Chait covers the issue of healthcare costs and conservative arguments that haven’t exactly materialized. At some point critics of the law have to face reality and address the facts surrounding healthcare policy as opposed to ideological fantasies.

This sounds obvious, but a massive study following hundreds of men over 75 years offers real evidence of this old truth. Check out the video above.

At this point, one can only hope.

The recent deal announced by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to in effect leave the United States for the purpose of evading corporate taxes calls into question why Congress continues to protect this industry.

Many in Congress, particularly Republicans, have resisted efforts to permit Medicare and Medicaid to negotiate for bulk pricing for drugs Americans need. The system is broken and we’re all paying for it.

Now we have Pfizer moving forward with a merger to change its tax status, and lobbyists are now warning this this may be the tipping point.

Let’s hope we’ve reached the point where the politics around the behavior of Big Pharma becomes so toxic that we finally get progress on drug prices and these corporate schemes to avoid taxes.