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Two Maryland health insurance companies defended hefty rate increases they were seeking for insurance plans offered on the state’s exchange under Obamacare in part by citing the uncertainty in Washington over the law’s future. Representatives of both Evergreen Health and Kaiser Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic testified Monday before the Maryland Insurance Administration, which must decide whether to accept or adjust the requested rate increases before the next enrollment period begins this fall. The administration already held a hearing on a large increase being sought by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, the state’s dominant insurer. (Cohn, 7/17)

People are anxious about what’s going to happen with marketplace coverage next year. Even as Republicans contemplate their next move in the effort to undo the Affordable Care Act after the Senate GOP plan unraveled Monday night, the marketplaces are still likely offer plans this fall for 2018 coverage. Here are some of the important changes that are in the works that could affect consumers’ enrollment and coverage next year.. (Andrews, 7/18)

State Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said Monday that he will not seek re-election next year. ... Hudgens’ decision may shake up Georgia politics, and the race to succeed him is now wide open. (Miller, 7/17)

Cindy Zeldin, the executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, is the first high-profile Democrat to announce a bid to succeed Republican Ralph Hudgens... Zeldin contends the office is too cozy with insurers, and that the next commissioner should be focused “first and foremost about consumers.” (Bluestein, 7/18)