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Wrangling in Congress over health care reform has not succeeded in curbing the double-digit increases many Utah employers and workers will face for health insurance next year as open-enrollment season rolls around. One explanation is that insurance companies and customers usually come to an agreement on the terms and conditions of health insurance plans at least 90 days before they get into effect. The House passed its reform bill, more than a month after most employers had signed contracts for 2010.Another reason is nobody knows which bill may come from the senate and how it will be resolved with the House bill before a final measure goes to Obama. Meanwhile, health care costs are still surging. And at the state level, where insurance companies are systemized, officials are waiting for Congress to act before they press for reforms. As Congress continues to debate, premiums show no sign or reaching a plateau forcing more businesses to pare back benefits or cancel them together. Utah members and their employees face heavy increases as they sign up for coverage next year. Nationally, employers expect premiums to rise by about 9% in 2010 if they simply renew their current plans without making any changes. In Sep., shortly before the House passed it’s Affordable Health Care for America Act, the Kaiser Foundations and premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose to $13,375 for family coverage this year. The bosses paid $9,860 on average, and employees paid the rest. Family premiums rose 5% while inflation fell 0.7% and workers wages went up 3.1%, while wages rose only 38%.