Udall, Heinrich And Coalition Of Senators Call For Extension Of Open Enrollment Under ACA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Americans continue to experience technical difficulties with federal and state health insurance enrollment, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich called on U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to extend the open enrollment period to give Americans more time to obtain health insurance coverage.

“As long as these substantial technology glitches persist, we are losing valuable time to educate and enroll people in insurance plans,” the senators wrote, along with eight of their colleagues, in a letter to Sebelius. “Our constituents are frustrated, and we fear that the longer the website is not functional, opportunities for people to log on, learn about their insurance choices, and enroll will be lost.”

The letter, sent today, states that if the technological glitches persist with healthcare.gov, an extended open enrollment deadline “will give consumers critical time in which to become familiar with the website and choose a plan that is best for them.”

Udall said: "I was proud to support the ACA to ensure millions of New Mexicans and Americans across the country can get affordable health care coverage, but the law isn't perfect, and we should be willing to work to make any improvements needed. The president has said the computer glitches in the enrollment system are unacceptable, and I support his efforts to fix the system. In the meantime, I'm joining my colleagues in urging the president to use his authority to ensure individuals aren't penalized for lack of coverage if technical problems prevent them from enrolling.”

Heinrich said: "These technical glitches delay thousands of New Mexicans from enrolling in affordable health care coverage, which is unacceptable. An extension would give families time to properly evaluate plans and select a choice that is right for them. The Affordable Care Act has already yielded numerous benefits, and I'll continue working with my colleagues to ensure every family in New Mexico has access to quality and affordable health care."

In addition to Udall and Heinrich, the letter was signed by: Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH); Mark Begich (D-AK); Mark Pryor (D-AR); Mary Landrieu (D-LA); Kay Hagan (D-NC); Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Mark Udall (D-CO); Michael Bennet (D-CO).

The full text of the letter follows:

Dear Secretary Sebelius:

When fully implemented, the Affordable Care Act represents a bold step forward in reforming our nation’s health care system.  It has the potential to improve the quality of care we all receive and provides the opportunity for millions of Americans to purchase quality, affordable health insurance.

The newly created federal and state health insurance marketplaces are intended to allow consumers the opportunity to compare health insurance options and find a plan that fits their needs and their budgets.  For three years, we have been eagerly waiting for the launch of these marketplaces.  However, now that the marketplaces are open, we have become discouraged and frustrated with the problems and interactions that are occurring with the Affordable Care Act’s federally-administered website, healthcare.gov. 

As long as these substantial technology glitches persist, we are losing valuable time to educate and enroll people in insurance plans.  Our constituents are frustrated, and we fear that the longer the website is not functional, opportunities for people to log on, learn about their insurance choices, and enroll will be lost.

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.  

The Affordable Care Act 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.

We appreciate your efforts to fully implement this law and look forward to working with you to accomplish that goal.  Thank you for considering our requests to extend the open enrollment period if the healthcare.gov substantial technology glitches continue.