Yesterday we discussed the refusal by the Secret Service to provide a list of health care executives who had visited the President at the White House to discuss policy changes. Shortly after President Obama’s presser, as promised, the list was delivered. I would like to retract my previous comments and simply say, well done, Mr. President. That’s what we need to see.

By following the link you can see not only the full list, but the dates when they visited. In case you don’t recognize some of the names, I’ll provide the list here along with their professional positions. I rather doubt that any of the names will come as a big surprise.

Billy Tauzin was named president and chief executive officer of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) in January 2005

Karen Ignagni is president and chief executive officer of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)

Richard J. Umbdenstock is the president and chief executive officer of the American Hospital Association (AHA), and a past chair of the AHA

J. James Rohack, MD. is President of the American Medical Association.

William C. Weldon is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson

Jeffrey Kindler is the chairman and chief executive officer at Pfizer, Inc.

Stephen J. Hemsley is President and Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealth Group

Angela F Braly has been CEO of WellPoint (WLP) for 2 years

George Halvorson is chairman and CEO of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc, and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals

Jay Gellert is president and chief executive officer of Health Net, Inc.

Thomas Priselac is President and CEO of the Cedars-Sinai Health System

Richard T. Clark is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Merck & Co

Wayne T Smith has been CEO of Community Health Sys (CYH) for 12 years

Richard J. (Rick) Smith is Associate Administrator for Clinician Recruitment and Service at Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)