The Oregonian reports today about recent and proposed increases in health insurance premiums. Here's an excerpt:

Double-digit rate increases are squeezing tens of thousands of Oregonians who buy individual or small-business health insurance, forcing some to join the ranks of the uninsured.

At least 19 health insurers have filed for rate increases since Jan. 1, when the state for the first time publicly posted rate filings under a new law. LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon received the biggest annual rate increase -- 28 percent for individuals and 26 percent for small employers -- which takes effect in the next two months.

The latest rate boosts are symptomatic of a "very sick health care system," says Bill Kramer, a Portland health care consultant. "With these increasing costs, there are going to be more people who can't afford coverage and can't get access to care. That will result in lost work time, lower productivity, and some people will get very sick and die unnecessarily."

And the rate increases get bigger the older you get because aging puts you more at risk for health problems.

The story includes tales of real people caught in thre crunch. Read the rest of the story here.

Also included is a sidebar about getting help:

Oregonians with questions or complaints about their health insurance or who want to challenge an insurance rate increase may call the state Insurance Division Consumer Advocacy Unit: 503-947-7984 or 888-877-4894. To contact the agency online, go to www.insurance.oregon.gov.

Oregonians earning less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level -- which comes to $39,228 a year for a family of four -- qualify for help in paying for private insurance premiums from the state's Family Health Insurance Assistance Program. Currently, however, the program is not taking new applications because of a budget shortfall. But applicants can get on a waiting list for when the program resumes by calling: 888-564-9669.