With comprehensive health care reform stalled, 31 Senate Democrats called on Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) Friday to push through a short-term extension to unemployment and COBRA insurance benefits.

Congress in December passed a two-month extension to both programs as part of the Defense spending bill. But, with the economy recovering slowly, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and 30 of his colleagues called for the programs to be extended through Dec. 10, 2010.

“As our nation continues to battle double digit unemployment rates, we must act right away to continue vital safety net coverage for the American family,— the Democrats wrote, adding that, “recent employment numbers are an indication that we must immediately extend jobless benefits and health assistance for individuals and families squeezed in this tighter economy.—