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Blue states are defying the Trump administration in a bid to protect ObamaCare and keep their insurance markets stable. Several states, including California and Maryland, are looking to put limits on short-term insurance plans, even as the Trump administration is poised to expand access to them nationwide. The states are doing so because they fear the availability of the short-term plans will drive up premium costs for ObamaCare. (Weixel, 6/2)

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley this week told people gathered at an Iowa town hall that politicians should "give up" on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. During the meeting Thursday in Orange City, Grassley started answering a question about bipartisan efforts to improve the legislation before saying, "Oh, by the way, we've got to give up on repeal and replace." A video of his answer was posted online by American Bridge 21st Century, a Democratic organization. (Nozicka, 6/1)

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn expressed hope for President Donald Trump's soon-to-be unveiled health care plan for self-employed workers and talked about his failed efforts to convince the president that higher tariffs on steel and other imports are a bad idea. He said during a Williamson County Association of Realtors luncheon Friday the two subjects were examples of how he has both agreed and disagreed with the president at times. (Buie, 6/1)