This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Now that the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, is going to begin on Oct. 1, does anyone understand how this will make health care more affordable? Everything I have heard or read that is supposed to be positive has the word "insurance" in it: you can't be denied health insurance due to pre-existing conditions, you can keep your kids on your insurance policy until they are 26 or your health insurance can't be canceled due to an "extraordinary illness."

How exactly will the affordable health care act make a routine doctor's office visit more affordable (my yearly routine physical cost $433 and a minor trip to the emergency room for an asthma attack cost in excess of $2,000).

How will these basic medical services become more affordable under this affordable health care act? I would appreciate it if anyone can explain the benefits of Obamacare without using the term "health care insurance." Just answer in terms of "affordable health care."

Walt Soltys

Sandy