Ready or not here it comes. The first stages of implementation of the Affordable Care Act are only a few weeks away. Its goal is to provide health care coverage to some 55 million Americans who currently have no health coverage and to expand coverage to those who are underinsured. This monumental plan takes effect January 1, 2014.

- Submit Datebook items to [email protected] or drop off press releases or photos at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. F, Scotts Valley 95066. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Entries are subject to editing, and publication is not guaranteed.

- Zane Edison Trujillo was born at 11:27 p.m. Aug. 23, 2013 to Heather Elizabeth (Blank) and Elfego Richard Trujillo of Scotts Valley. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center.

- Submit Datebook items to [email protected] or drop off press releases or photos at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. F, Scotts Valley 95066. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Entries are subject to editing, and publication is not guaranteed.

Most people have heard the term “antitrust.” One generally thinks of huge corporations when antitrust is bandied. Many associate the word with Microsoft because of its long running antitrust battle with the government. But the antitrust laws apply to any organization, big or small, that attempts to use its monopoly or dominant market position to restrain trade. Antitrust laws are quite complex, but they can be summarized as a collection of laws that are supposed to promote fair competition that benefits consumers. The best known aspect of the antitrust laws is to prevent or limit monopolies. A monopoly can, and will, abuse its market position by charging outrageous prices or force undesirable choices simply because there is no alternative. (Remember British philosopher Lord Acton: “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”) The penalties for violating antitrust laws can be severe, including criminal charges.

This month marks my 40th year of practicing medicine. I think back to my childhood living in Milwaukee, Wisc. with a father who was a family doctor in a solo practice on call 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. Our home phone rang day and night and Dad frequently left his comfortable home and much-needed sleep to go make a house call, admit someone to the hospital, or deliver a baby

Scotts Valley Kiwanis