Hagan: Obamacare website issues 'unacceptable'

"I support extending open enrollment so NC families have time to shop for insurance plan right for them," she posted on the social networking site.

Hagan is among a growing number of frustrated Democrats lamenting about persistent problems with the new health insurance website.

Earlier Wednesday, the Obama administration acknowledged the problems, saying the site didn't get enough testing before going live. It said technicians were deep into the job of correcting major computer snags but provided no timetable on a fix.

The White House also signaled a change underway in the timeline for signing up for coverage.

Consumers have until Dec. 15 to apply for coverage that's effective Jan. 1.

Even though open enrollment lasts until March 31, people would face a penalty if they postpone buying coverage beyond mid-February.

Calling that a "disconnect," the White House said officials will soon issue policy guidance so that if consumers sign up by the end of March they will not face a penalty.

No action from Congress is needed to make that happen, the White House said.

The website's troubled debut was overshadowed by the partial government shutdown that started the same day the website went live.