Health insurance costs rose more than 9 percent nationwide this year, according to a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and reported by the New York Times. Such a dramatic increase could add to the ranks of the uninsured and put additional financial strain on hospitals. The average annual premium for employer-sponsored coverage for a family surpassed $15,000. Some industry observers have suggested that insurers rose their premiums in anticipation of changes coming as a result of the Affordable Care Act.