Industry Lobbyists' Consensus Sees Compromise Holding For Next Round of SCHIP Deliberations

As rumors continue circulating about SCHIP in 2009, CAA's and IPCPR's lobbyists, along with several industry consultants, met to share new information and prognostications regarding legislation to renew and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

While tempered with a bit of caution, all parties participating on the conference call remain confident the compromise that was reached and agreed to by Congressional leaders will be incorporated into yet-to-be reintroduced SCHIP legislation.

General consensus among industry lobbyists and consultants holds that despite campaign rhetoric, the reality of governing, particularly in the economic circumstances faced by all segments of the economy, will prove difficult for the new Administration's legislative priorities to be quickly approved.

With those caveats in mind, there were three consensus views that emerged:

While there are credible scenarios that would delay SCHIP, there was much agreement that SCHIP will likely be an early priority of the new administration.

House leadership has signaled it will likely be among the top three priorities of the Congress/Administration. SCHIP has passed the Congress twice in 2007, so passing the "old" bill with the "compromise" language would be an easy step.

The make-up of the new House and Senate is even more favorable than before and the new President will eagerly sign the bill. Under this scenario, SCHIP would provide a high profile legislative victory and a down payment on the health care agenda.

The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) is a not-for-profit trade association organized as the advocate for the independent retail tobacconist and recognized as the "Voice of Authority and Reason" on premium tobacco related issues.