Yes there were attempts made in the ACA to control costs (hence the first 'A'). However 1. the clock ran out on the bill drafting due to people voting for republicans in mid-terms and 2. Corruption.
Were there attempts very early on because I remember them drafting a bill no one even had time to read. Republicans were going to vote anything down and it seemed like Dems waited out the clock so it would be forced in at the last second, either way.
