The problem that has occurred with the belief that Obama "lied" when he said that "if you like your current insurance, you can keep that insurance." is an error by the listener in believing that an unspecific statement meant what they wanted it to mean.
The date of the statement in question was Tuesday, August 11th, 2009. The bill was signed into law on March 23, 2010.
The PPACA has the following provision and the statement meant what is meant as defined in the PPACA.
The PPACA, page 43 reads;
PART II—OTHER PROVISIONS
SEC. 1251. PRESERVATION OF RIGHT TO MAINTAIN EXISTING COVERAGE.
(a) NO CHANGES TO EXISTING COVERAGE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this Act (or an amendment made by this Act) shall be construed to require that an individual terminate coverage under a group health plan or health insurance coverage in which such individual was enrolled on the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) CONTINUATION OF COVERAGE.—With respect to a group health plan or health insurance coverage in which an individual was enrolled on the date of enactment of this Act, this subtitle and subtitle A (and the amendments made by such subtitles) shall not apply to such plan or coverage, regardless of whether the individual renews such coverage after such date of enactment.
(b) ALLOWANCE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS TO JOIN CURRENT COVERAGE.— With respect to a group health plan or health insurance coverage in which an individual was enrolled on the date of enactment of this Act and which is renewed after such date, family members of such individual shall be permitted to enroll in such plan or coverage if such enrollment is permitted under the terms of the plan in effect as of such date of enactment.
(c) ALLOWANCE FOR NEW EMPLOYEES TO JOIN CURRENT PLAN.— A group health plan that provides coverage on the date of enactment of this Act may provide for the enrolling of new employees (and their families) in such plan, and this subtitle and subtitle A (and the amendments made by such subtitles) shall not apply with respect to such plan and such new employees (and their families).
Any insurance policy picked up after Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 is not subject to the statement made. The law says that any insurance picked up before March 23, 2010 is not affected by the law.
Just as well, it is a free market and insurance companies have every right to change what they offer.
So the question is if policies obtained before March 23rd, 2010, were canceled pursuant to the law.
If not, personal stupidity is not someone else's fault. This is no different than getting a ticket for speeding under the basic speed law. Personal failure to grasp the meaning of "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather" is one's own fault. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.