State lawmakers have urged the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to reverse course and "just say no" to an optional federal charter for insurers.

In a letter to Chamber President Tom Donohue, officers both past and present from the National Conference of Insurance Legislators praised the group for its support of maintaining the insurance industry's limited antitrust exemption under the McCarran-Ferguson Act and sought to convince the Chamber of the negative implications an OFC would have.

"Because we believe that NCOIL and the Chamber share a common goal--that of a competitive and thriving marketplace that serves businesses and consumers alike--we were disheartened to hear recent reports that the Chamber of Commerce is likely to support an optional federal insurance charter, and would like to share with you our concerns regarding an OFC," wrote the NCOIL officers, including its president, Michigan state Senator Alan Sanborn, R-Richmond, the other current NCOIL officers and five past presidents.