March 5 (Bloomberg) — With mid-term elections bearing down, the government changed its regulation of Obamacare to give consumers and states more flexibility to decide on their health plans, insurers more time to sign up customers and taxpayers a chance to avoid more costs.

The changes, announced today by the Health and Human Services Department, will smooth enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, administration officials said. Republicans accused President Barack Obama of making them help congressional Democrats survive an unpopular law.

Americans with health coverage that predates Obamacare can stay on their plans for two more years, insurers will have an extra month to sign up customers next winter, and states will get more time to decide whether to manage the law themselves, officials said. Also, a program aimed at covering financial losses for insurers will be adjusted to help ensure it doesn't cost taxpayers, the Obama administration said.