President Obama famously promised that the Affordable Care Act would not only slow the growth in health care costs, but would also reverse these trends, making the average health insurance plan cheaper. That isn't happening.

In this quote, Scott Gottlieb criticizes the Affordable Care Act (ACA), specifically addressing President Obama's promise that the legislation would not only slow the growth of health care costs but also reverse the trend, making the average health insurance plan cheaper for consumers. Gottlieb argues that this promise has not been fulfilled, as healthcare costs continue to rise despite the enactment of the ACA. His statement highlights a gap between the goals of the ACA and the reality of its outcomes.

Gottlieb’s words suggest that the ACA, while it may have achieved some successes in terms of expanding coverage, has not been effective in controlling the costs associated with health insurance. The promise to make healthcare more affordable for average Americans has, according to Gottlieb, not materialized in practice. This critique reflects concerns about the economic impact of the ACA and its ability to achieve long-term cost savings for consumers and the government.

The origin of this quote comes from Gottlieb’s work as a physician and health policy expert, where he has been an outspoken critic of certain aspects of the ACA. He served as the FDA commissioner under President Trump and has had significant influence in the field of health policy. Gottlieb's critique of the ACA focuses on the broader implications of healthcare reform, particularly the unintended consequences of its implementation.

In a broader context, Gottlieb’s quote underscores the debate surrounding the effectiveness of the ACA in addressing the key issue of healthcare affordability. While the law expanded coverage for millions of Americans, its ability to reduce the overall cost of healthcare remains a contentious issue. Gottlieb’s statement points to the ongoing challenge of finding a sustainable solution to the rising costs of healthcare while ensuring access and quality for all.