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House Republicans on Wednesday jumped on rising premium rates and co-op closures to slam the Affordable Care Act, while Democrats lamented another hearing not focused on fixes to the Affordable Care Act. At a joint Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing, Republicans raised concerns about how rising premiums have affected their constituents, as well as the potential for fraud under the Obamacare exchanges. The subcommittee released a slate of reports earlier this week that slammed the future sustainability of the federal and state-based exchanges. (McIntire, 9/14)

Lawmakers cited contrasting headlines to assess the performance of the Affordable Care Act during a hearing Wednesday where acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt once again defended the law under harsh questioning. Republicans on the two House Energy and Commerce subcommittees hosting the hearing brought up recent news of major insurers dropping out of the ACA exchanges, several reports of large premium increases and more co-ops failing. (Muchmore, 9/14)

Centene Corp. said Wednesday that it's seeking regulatory approval to sell individual health insurance plans for 2017 on the exchange in two Arizona counties. Centene said it has filed applications with both the Arizona Department of Insurance and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to sell plans in Pima and Maricopa counties for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2017. Some major health insurance carriers have decided to stop selling plans on the health insurance marketplaces, also known as the exchanges, a key part of President Barack Obama's landmark health reform bill. Many issuers said they were losing too much money on the exchange business that attracted an older and sicker population. (Liss, 9/15)

Sen. Lamar Alexander is introducing a bill Wednesday that would extend Affordable Care Act subsidies to plans off of the exchanges for some eligible consumers. The Tennessee Republican is proposing that states could opt to expand the Obamacare subsidies to plans sold off of the exchanges. For states without enough competition on the exchanges, governors could choose to have the subsidies to plans offered off the exchanges so consumers have more choice, he said. (McIntire, 9/14)

A top Obama administration health official indicated Wednesday that there are discussions underway about a possible settlement with insurance companies over ObamaCare payments. The possibility of settlements has drawn alarm from Republican lawmakers, who warn that the administration is seeking to get around limitations set by Congress. (Sullivan, 9/14)