By Jeff Skrzypek

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- It's tough for many small businesses in Oregon to provide basic benefits like health care to their employees, and each year, the state's biggest insurance providers are making it even tougher.

Some of Oregon's largest health care providers have got the nod from state regulators on every single rate increase over the past three years. According to the Oregon Insurance Division, the average premiums for individuals and small businesses have soared by more than 140 percent in seven years.

Regulators at the Oregon Insurance Division approved nearly every request in full, trimming rate increases in only seven of 40 cases.

Increased premiums are leading to more businesses and individuals becoming uninsured. The number of Oregonians covered by commercial insurance dropped by 88,000 between early 2008 and last summer.

Many small business owners who spoke with KEZI 9 News say they constantly check each year to see if they can afford a health plan, but they say they often don't have enough employees, and the rates are just too high.

Oregon Insurance Division officials say the increases are justified by rising medical costs.