Despite reports that the U.S. economy is in recovery, advocates for an extension say workers laid off after the end of this month simply cannot afford COBRA premiums, or daily expenses for that matter, without help from the federal government.

Oregon Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley wrote a letter to Reid on Feb. 19, according to POLITICO.com: "Allowing these vital benefits to expire will only dampen and delay the economic recovery that Congress has worked to generate over the past year," Wyden and Merkley wrote in the letter. "An extension of these benefits, on the other hand, will pump resources directly into local economies."

Ronald F. Pollack, executive director of Families USA, also sent Reid a letter earlier in the week, pushing for an extension of the subsidy:

"Without federal help, COBRA premiums are simply unaffordable for most unemployed people," Pollack wrote. "A December 2009 report by Families USA showed that, on average, COBRA premiums for family coverage would consume 83.4 percent of unemployment benefits–and would actually exceed monthly unemployment benefits in nine states. The federal premium assistance that you enacted under ARRA pays 65 percent of COBRA premiums, making it possible for millions of Americans to retain their coverage. With assistance, unemployed families pay, on average, $389 per month for COBRA premiums. Without assistance, they would have to pay $1,111 per month, which is out of reach for most families who have lost their jobs."

The Oregon senators have asked legislation on the issues to be passed swiftly after the Senate returns Monday from the President's Day recess, according to POLITICO.com.

But if March 1 comes without action from Congress, it could be doomsday for more than 1 million people who stand to lose their jobless benefits and health insurance subsidy, according to a report from CNNMoney.com.