Over the past three years a new entrant to the New York City retail market has ramped up its presence across the City's five boroughs. CityMD, an urgent care chain, has begun to rival Starbucks at prime locations, and other competitors like Cure Urgent Care and PM Pediatrics are emerging in New York and other major metros.

I, too, have availed myself of these centers' services. On a Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago, I came down with flu-like symptoms. I stopped into a CityMD, handed over my insurance card, visited with a doctor and was out the door in 30 minutes with my prescription and a credit card receipt for $20.

A recent white paper published by the Urgent Care Association indicated that Obama's Affordable Care Act should lead to increased demand for these clinics. With more people covered by health insurance, there could be broader overall demand for medical services, more comparison-shopping and greater reluctance to visit the emergency room for minor problems.