HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ A new report by a consumer group says family health insurance premiums in Connecticut increased 81 percent from 2000 to 2007, which has led to more people joining the ranks of the uninsured.

The Families USA report released Wednesday says annual family health insurance premiums rose from $7,292 to $13,173 over the seven-year span, growing nearly eight times faster than median income.

Median earnings of Connecticut workers increased about 10 percent from 2000 to 2007, from $32,106 to $35,281.

Families USA Executive Director Ron Pollack says more state residents will become uninsured or underinsured if the trend continues. The group says more than 320,000 non-elderly people in Connecticut don't have health insurance.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)