US Chamber of Commerce goes back to war

After spending a record amount this election season to change the balance of power in Washington, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce this week plans to announce a pro-business agenda that will include attacking federal regulations in four areas: labor, energy, healthcare and financial services. ...

... The chamber's focus on healthcare and financial services is likely to be particularly intense. It led opposition to legislation on both areas, which passed when Democrats controlled both the House and the Senate.

Action on the new laws now move to the executive branch for rulemaking and implementation. And the chamber is expected to apply pressure on that process.

In particular, the chamber has pushed for looser interpretation of rules requiring health insurance companies to spend a specified minimum percentage of the premiums they collect from customers on coverage of medical claims starting next year.

It roundly attacked the healthcare initiative during a campaign in which many Republicans called for its repeal. It doesn't appear the chamber will go that far. ...

... [Another Chamber official] said the chamber also sought some adjustment of the Volcker Rule, a reform named for former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker that would bar banks that receive federal support from engaging in speculative activity unrelated to basic bank services.  ...LA Times