CCHIT critic identified
(Updated, 4:50 p.m. CST) The lengthy criticism leveled at the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology just got a little lengthier, and we finally know the name of the critic.
A “Calvin Jablonski” just added a comment to my post about CCHIT from earlier in the week. This seems like the same person who posted under the name “CJ” on the Wall Street Journal Health Blog last week, a comment subsequently reprinted here and on the Health Care Renewal Blog—there might be others, too—that brought a response from CCHIT Marketing Director Sue Reber on all the same blogs.
I searched the name “Calvin Jablonski” and could only find his posts about CCHIT, not any information on his background or interest in this topic. I believe, based on my statistics monitor for this site, that the comment came from IP address 65.218.162.# (the # indicates a number that I’m not privy to), on the network of marketing firm Euro RSCG 4 Impact in Norcross, Ga.
Today, Jablonski hammered away at alleged links between CCHIT and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society:
Ms Reber why don’t you admit the defunct status of CCHIT?
Its been verified… Why don’t you admit CCHIT has concealed its defunct status?Why do you deny which is obviously the truth and which as been verified? CCHIT is a defunct 501 c 3 tax exempt non-profit that has been dissolved for over a year.
Why don’t you admit CCHIT was spwaned by none other than Steve Lieber, CEO of HIMSS.org, another 501 c organization that hasn’t paid a dime in taxes but has made over $100million dollars in profits?
Why don’ty you admit CCHIT and HIMSS has presented an advocacy positon of not asking for millions, but now, BILLION of dollars that will fall down the same tax-dodging rat hole if funded according Liebers’ plan?
Why don’t you admit the non profit scheme cooked up by HIMSS.org is full of “artificial transactions” designed to operate as a business filter that allows both organizations to fly below the level of taxable income on IRS radar?
Why don’t you admit CCHIT has continued to take checks from vendors during the period it has effectively been dissolved?
Why don’t you admit there is a revolving door for staff members between CCHIT, HIMSS and the EHRA?
Calvin
Jablonski’s anti-CCHIT campaign actually started before the WSJ comment. “Calvin Jablonski, 501(c)(6) expert” commented on the Chilmark Research blog about the economic stimulus legislation on Feb. 1. You’ll note that he has some company in his criticisms. From the same string of comments, “rockyostrand” says:
Caution, Achtung, Cuidado,
Non-profit trade associations like HIMSS are waiting in the wings and closets at beltway bandit locations all over Maryland, Virginia and D.C. with their hands and cash buckets out waiting for the ink to dry.
Get ready for that giant sucking sound to make the tax dodging 501 (C) 6 “C- Suite” a lot richer.
Don’t you think its time to get the CCHIT and HITSP people out of the mix? its clear at this point they are after the checkbook , the other stuff about HIT is just the game they are playing to get at it. The thing about CCHIT- its an outgrowth of HIMSS and started at 230 E. Ohio St in Chicago, literally a HIMSS subsidiary spinoff residing residing under the same roof. Try looking into the CEO of CCHIT. You will find he is the CMO of HIMSS- gee what small world… YEESSS , Mark Leavitt, possible relation to Mike Leavitt, HHS Secretary.
Rocky Ostrand
That’s awfully close to Jablonski’s original critique—and clearly wrong in claiming that CCHIT Chairman Mark Leavitt, M.D., Ph.D., still is CMO of HIMSS (he went on leave from that position when CCHIT started, but he’s since officially split from HIMSS) and that he might be related to former HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. Mike Leavitt is a devout Mormon from Utah. Mark Leavitt is a Chicago native of Jewish descent.
On the most recent set of allegations, I believe CCHIT has never hid the fact that it was created by HIMSS, the National Alliance for Health Information Technology and the American Health Information Management Association. Whether Steve Lieber personally spawned CCHIT, I don’t know and don’t think is relevant.
The questions about the involuntary dissolution of CCHIT as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation under Illinois law are valid ones. The questions about possible conflicts of interest involving CCHIT and other organizations are valid ones. The charge of a “scheme” full of “artificial transactions” is a serious one, but I don’t see any evidence to support it.
One more thing I’ve discovered since the original post: CCHIT’s previous office before moving to 200 S. Wacker Dr. in Chicago was at 233 N. Michigan Ave., the same location as AHIMA, not the 230 E. Ohio St. building where HIMSS is based.
You can bet this is not the last we’ll hear on this subject. I can’t wait to see if CCHIT has another “town hall” at this year’s HIMSS conference. That ought to be fun.
A fact you stated is partial truth; the original registered agent for CCHIT was located at 233 N. Michigan. The business operation was located inside the HIMSS incubator at 230 E. Ohio St. I suggest you search the web and find letters from prestigious organizations like AHA addressed to Mark Leavitt of CCHIT , 230 E. Ohio St, Chicago. Jewish or Mormon is not the question and neither is Chicago or Utah so why was this raised? I have no knowledge in that regard and consider both groups to be a healthy part of the American l andscape however here is another fact: Mike Leavitt spoke at HIMSS Annual Conference while Mark Leavitt was receiving millions of dollars in US Taxpayer money on an HHS Grant. Mike Leavitt came into the conference center followed by an entourage of "Nutcracker" or "Beefeater" types in uniforms (without hats) and delivered an interesting speech. I was there. To paraphrase Mike Leavitt he said something like “Technology adoption requires sociological change”. Did you get it… Leavitt and Leavitt? Mike & Mark? I think you missed another point… if someone was to ask " do you stand behind the certification? What would be the answer? And where are you going to stand– Wacker Drive? There is no testing facility, no testing applications or automated software tools to produce because they haven't been developed. There is no cadre of auditors or test technicians, no laboratory, no scientific papers and not even a valid certificate of incorporation. What exists is a rubber stamp and hot air, and of course the vendors left holding a certification from who knows what. "Artificial Transactions" are those associated with an organization that makes profits but says they are not finding ways to creatively spend the money, especially the corporate tax money rate of 35% which is due the Internal Revenue service. HIMSS and its spinoff CCHIT are organizations that claim to be non-profit.If ever there was a need for hiding pecuniary difficulties how does a profit of over $100 million sound for artificial transaction drafting table.Last point: many people are talking about this situation including HIMSS Vendors Meditech and Cerner. The smart ones are dropping out of annual conference and finding a safe distance.Say Hi to Rocky for me.Calvin
Operating a Business in Chicago without a Business license is a Crime…HIT industry sponsored “Healthcare IT News and Opinion” website HisTalk has taken to the defense of CCHIT. In there defense of the defunct organization known as CCHIT , Mr HIS Talk uses the following words: 1. “CCHIT is still a private, non-profit organization and it’s entirely irrelevant as to which state it’s incorporated in since you don’t have to incorporate in the state in which you operate (surely everyone’s heard of the huge number of Delaware and Nevada corporations out there).2. “someone with an axe to grind decided to air their prolific ignorance or denial of the facts publicly”3. secrets?Calvin Jablonski on behalf of the community responds to the words in the same order;1. Corporate registration and articles of organization in good form are required in every state. The writers’ comments suggesting a phantom registration in some unknown state is not relevant is incorrect. The 501 C election requires corporate registration in good standing within a state .(http://www.irs.gov/publications/p557/ch04.html) Typical stuff found on the IRS 501 election form 1020:Check the box for the type of organization. Corporation—Trust—Association—If this is a corporation or an unincorporated association that has not yet adopted bylaws, check here Attach a copy of the Articles of Incorporation (including amendments and restatements) showing approval by the appropriate state official; also attach a copy of the bylaws.Attach a copy of the Trust Indenture or Agreement, including all appropriate signatures and dates.Attach a copy of the Articles of Association, Constitution, or other creating document, with a declaration (see instructions) other evidence that the organization was formed by adoption of the document by more than one person. Also include a copy of the bylaws.2. The axe has been found, not ground… Stand by the best part is yet to come..3. I have already stated the facts concerning which employees work for HIMSS and CCHIT- read the previous post HIS Talk, a demonstration of anger, ignorance and poor cognition: The cited HIS Talk is probably repeated hearsay posted by a wannabe HIT Executive, a poorly educated schm**k who thinks the rule of law only applies to law abiding citizens.If you are standing by, then here it is:CCHIT formerly of 230 E. Ohio Street, then 233 N. Michigan Ave, and more recently 200 S. Wacker Drive ,Chicago while still generating revenues as a Chicago based business has been operating without a business license in violation of Chicago Municipal Code 4-4 , City of Chicago Business License Lookup: http://webapps.cityofchicago.org/lic/iris.jsp Consequences of operating a business without a license, 1. Fines of up to $10,000.00 per day2. Confiscation3 Physical ArrestIn the case of CCHIT the lack of a valid business license which is about $125.00 per year for a limited license requires a valid registration with the state of Illinois, a valid lease and articles of incorporation or “organization”. For the HIS TALK people it means a 2 year cycle gets paid up front so as long as they are defending them perhaps they would like to donate the $250. But this is just ITEM #1.ITEM #2: It is a violation to not have a valid license on display in the place of business. Yup, up to another $10,000.00 in fines to be paid.ITEM#3: The City Revenue agency needs to examine the books to see if there is Tax due.ITEM#4: The State of Illinois needs to examine the books for corporate income tax that is due on the $7.5 million in taxpayer money that was taken plus the 10’s of thousands taken from vendors.ITEM#5: The IRS will be paying a visit shortly too.Good news for Chicago Taxpayers and those who want to fund the Olympic Village in Chicago: CCHIT has been reported to the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago and they can expect a visit from the authorities tomorrow morning concerning license fees and taxes.Discussion: Adam Smith, the father of economic anthropology and brilliant writer described a free market economy as more productive and beneficial to society. Free market economy does not mean a lawless arrogant climate of whatever the traffic will endure, not in Smiths’ time and not in ours (invoking the hidden hand). The posts of this writer reflect the opinions of a diverse and educated culture, the opinions expressed are not solely the opinions of one person but that of a community.CJ
Wow outing someone’s IP address seems pretty invasive for a blog tha allows anonymous posting and sems like a high tech version of an of ad hominen attack. We usually just ignore the trolls on the political sites like DailyKos but perhaps this is a different forum?I rarely post anonymously to be honest but disclosing someone’s identity when it sounds like they would like to remain confidential is probably a good example of why people don’t trust sharing their health information via technology either. It is so easy to combine de-identified data with another data base and drill down to the person again. Don’t worry I also know that it is easy to add noise to a data-base to prevent this from occurring so no I am not a conspiracy theorist.
OPEN letter to CCHIT, Ms Reber,In light of the current economic reality , there are some questions that need to be answered.1. Why haven’t you addressed the reasonable question of why CCHIT was Involuntarily Dissolved ?2. Now that CCHIT attorneys have managed to get downtown and stuff the State of Illinois corporate registration file with fresh papers, we would like to know when CCHIT plans to purchase a business license for operating within the City of Chicago?3.We would like to see public reporting on how the $7.5 million form the Office of the National Coordinator was spent, who received money and how much money. Additionally how much cash does CCHIT have on hand at this time and where its accounts are held.4. We would also like to know how long CCHIT has operated in Chicago without a business license and does CCHIT plan to purchase a business license for its business operation in Chicago?5. What is CCHIT’s connection to the Government Health IT publication deal that CCHIT’ parent organization, HIMSS, is trying to conceal? What was given for to acquire the publication and what are the terms of the deal? Who are the new owners of the publication?Comments: 1. The writer believes Mayor Daley of Chicago is authorized by the tax payers of the City of Chicago to collect licensure fees and that the self proclaimed non-profit status CCHIT brandishes does not relieve itself of this obligation. 2. Therefore if CCHIt refuses to purchase a business license from the City of Chicago immediately, on behalf of the tax payers, the writer is demanding CCHIT get out of town , out of Chicago, our good city. We don’t want you here. The write also states that if CCHIT operates the way it has to cheat the City of Chicago on advice from its parent organization, HIMSS.org, it too should pack its bags and get the h*** out of Chicago.2. Considering the fact that CCHIT operated in bad faith without a business license and without a certificate of good standing from the State of Illinois it is highly unlikely that CCHIT can substantiate any claim to issuing valid certifications in exchange for money they have taken from vendors. Calvin Jablonski
Calvin and/or Rocky, please contact me directly at nversel@gmail.com. I’d like to talk to you