HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County’s health insurance rates are increasing, but not as much as predicted in 2010 budget planning sessions. The county’s premium for hospitalization through High­mark Blue Cross/Blue Shield is going up 16.9 percent as of April 1, county officials said Tuesday. During budget planning sessions in November, county leaders were told they might confront a 30 percent increase as of April 1, and they budgeted $4.67 million to cover the cost. The more recent projection for a 23 percent increase in premiums was scaled back to 16.9 percent, based on policy changes during negotiations with employee unions. “Without the changes, it would have been 23 percent,” said County Personnel Director Dianne Carland. “So it’s not as bad as it could have been,” Commis­sioner Donna Gority said Tuesday. The county’s costs for health insurance have gone up and down over the years. The 2010 budget documents show the county spending $3.2 million in 2006, $3.75 million in 2007 and $3.