The list of Democratic senators seeking an extension of the health care open enrollment period is growing.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., first proposed the delay earlier this week, and Friday, nine other Democratic senators joined the effort.
They wrote Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, saying, "Given the existing problems with healthcare.gov and other state-run marketplace websites that depend on the federally-administered website, we urge you to consider extending open enrollment beyond the current end date of March 31, 2014.
"Extending this period will give consumers critical time in which to become familiar with the website and choose a plan that is best for them. Individuals should not be penalized for lack of coverage if they are unable to purchase health insurance due to technical problems," they wrote.
In addition to Shaheen, the senators include Mark Begich (D-AK); Mark Pryor (D-AR); Mary Landrieu (D-LA); Kay Hagan (D-NC); Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Mark Udall (D-CO); Tom Udall (D-NM); Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).
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The senators maintained their strong support for the new health care law, writing "has already had a significant impact on the lives of millions of Americans; seniors are now paying less for their prescription drugs, critical preventive care services are available for free and important work is being done to improve the quality of care we receive. Americans will now have the opportunity to receive tax credits to purchase quality health insurance, and starting in January 2014, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny health coverage because of a pre-existing condition or drop coverage if someone is sick."