In the middle of December 2010 Andrew McKechnie, the top health care policy advisor to Senate Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley, left Congress to join the lobbying firm Peck, Madigan, Jones & Stewart.

Grassley was the top Republican involved in the behind the scenes “Gang of Six” talks that ultimately led to the final template for health care reform enacted last year. The Peck, Madigan press release touts McKechnie’s history of involvement in this process, “he brings the unique perspective of having been in the room for all the negotiations as well as Republican strategy sessions.”

Peck, Madigan’s client list from 2010 includes many health industry heavy weights who will benefit from McKechnie’s knowledge of the law as it is implemented by the federal bureaucracy. Amgen, AstraZeneca, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Leon Medical Centers, Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers and WellPoint will all benefit from McKenchnie’s knowledge and access.