Obama singles out RI insurance hikes

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The Obama administration is warning of rising health insurance premiums in Rhode Island and other states as it tries to revive its efforts to overhaul health care.

A report released Thursday by federal health officials notes that UnitedHealth, Tufts and Blue Cross requested 13 to 16 percent rate increases in Rhode Island last year. The insurers backed away from the increases after they met resistance from the state's health insurance commissioner .

Obama's administration also singled out proposed health insurance cost hikes in California, Maine, Michigan, Connecticut and Oregon.

Obama has seen his drive for a health care overhaul become bogged down. His administration is seizing on the cost increases ahead of a bipartisan summit on health care next week.