On Thursday, President Obama announced that his administration would allow but, as the Washington Post correctly notes, not mandate

insurance companies to renew policies that do not meet health law standards through the end of 2014

It’s not clear how substantive the President’s offer really is as insurance companies have spent the last three years gearing up their policies for the heavy mandates imposed by his signature law. How many companies are actually in a position to turn on a dime and continue to offer non-compliant, “bad apple” plans for another year?

Those of us with suspicious minds also couldn’t help noticing that this postponement, however realistic and feasible, extends to the end of 2014. Could the real goal here have been to offer a reprieve from the law not to consumers but to Congressional Democrats in the mid-term elections next year?

Side bar: if this law is so wonderful and, as Patrick points out, purportedly better for us than the status quo, why are these Democrats so politically jittery about having voted for it?

Meanwhile, back on the home front, the Chafee administration announced yesterday that Rhode Islanders would not be allowed to partake in this postponement but, come January, would have to stick with ObamaCare-compliant policies.

This was preceded on Wednesday by Blue Cross’ announcement that it would not be cancelling any individual coverage policies, a segment of the market for which they hold a monopoly. Before you wipe your brow in relief, however, note the fine print.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island said Wednesday it won’t be sending Obamacare-related cancellation notices to any of its subscribers who buy individual health plans, but did acknowledge those people may not be offered the same plans next year that they have now.

Sheesh. Why does this law seem to bring out the inner weasel in people? Can someone please explain the substantive difference between a cancelled plan and a plan that no longer exists?

To summarize, Governor Chafee’s administration has barred subscribers from purchasing cancelled, bad apple policies that have not been cancelled but may or may not exist come January. Everyone clear on this now? Good! And if not, please submit your questions to the ObamaCare website. Oh, wait, maybe that’s not such a great suggestion …

Addendum

This afternoon, driving between errands, I punched up an f.m. rock station … um, somewhere in New England, just in time to hear the d.j., apparently wrapping up a contest announcement, say genially

And remember, if you win your ticket, you can keep your ticket. Period!

It appears that “If you like your policy, you’ll be able to keep your policy. Period.” has entered the infamous “Read my lips. No new taxes!” gallery of broken political promises. The difference, of course, is that a tax can always (in theory) be rolled back. Rolling back the multitudinous undesirable effects of this law to our healthcare system would not be nearly as simple; in fact, might not be doable at all.