Tom Vilsack, Brian Deese
Wash. DC (AP)-A new White House Council on U.S. Economic conditions holds its first meeting today. Members are set to highlight at least 18 actions taken to help consumers and potentially lower prices.
The council is aimed at refocusing the economy around the interests of consumers, workers and entrepreneurs.
Details about today’s meeting were provided by two administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to preview the gathering. Among the matters to be discussed are a new report about airlines that wrongfully denied refunds to customers whose flights were changed or canceled, and a nearly 20-fold increase in fines for hospitals that fail to disclose their prices to the public.
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5 percent in July on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.9 percent in June according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 5.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.
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