THE FEDERATION OF STATE MEDICAL BOARDS (FSMB)
The private trade association FEDERATION OF STATE MEDICAL BOARDS (FSMB) is a 501(c)(6), which is tax speak for a “business association”. A business association is organized to promote business, though they can’t generate a profit nor pay shares or dividends. A 501(c)(6) is recognized as a non-profit organization, exempt from paying income tax.
A business association, whose members have a shared business interest, is called a “business league”. The business league must promote the common interests of its members, must not be engaged in business for profit and must not provide services to individuals the way a for-profit business does. Any earnings of the 501(c)(6) must be put back into the organization to further its cause.
A business league must represent an entire industry and is allowed to engage in political lobbying to attempt to influence legislation related to the common business interests of its members. Typically, 501(c)(6) organizations work to improve the business conditions of their members. Even if political lobbying is the organization's sole activity it doesn't jeopardize its tax-exempt status, assuming it qualifies for the exemption in every other way.
Contributions to a 501(c)(6) organization are not tax deductible by the donor, but may be written off as a business expense. A 501(c)(6) organization may receive unlimited contributions from corporations, individuals, and labor unions. The names and addresses of contributors are not required to be made available for public inspection. All other information, including the amount of contributions, the description of non-cash contributions, and any other information, is required to be made available for public inspection. The business league or association has to make its last three informational tax returns public. If someone asks for copies, the 501(c)(6) has to provide them for free.
Some numbers for a better perspective:
FSMB
2017-2018 - Gross Revenue - $46,702,253
2018-2019 - Gross Revenue - $55,138,557
Assets - $51,617,992
FSMB Research and Education Foundation
2018-2019 - Gross Revenue - $622,663
Assets - $3,157,584
We know that the FSMB accepted a "bribe" from Purdue Pharmaceuticals, makers of Oxycontin, in excess of $1 million in 2010 - the exact amount is not available for public consumption it seems. There are 70 medical boards the FSMB is involved. All 70 boards supposedly contribute some undefined amount of money.
So the FSMB, as a tax exempt "nonprofit", can receive "donations" from entities whose names and addresses are not made publicly available, and then use those "donations" to lobby State and Federal government. The private trade association state medical boards are thoroughly involved in this racket as they supposedly help fund the FSMB. This is significantly adversely effecting the public as we have seen with the private trade association state medical boards disciplining physicians for opiates. First it was for not giving out enough opiates and then an about face after the FSMB were busted in 2012/2013 by the Senate Finance Committee as a result of the Purdue bribe. Too bad Senators Orin Hatch and Ron Wyden sealed those records. That is criminal in my opinion
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How is it legal for a nonprofit to work on behalf of government agencies across the U.S.? These government agencies are actively lobbying for themselves - not for the good of the public, but for power. The medical boards characterize themselves as being government agencies so as to receive protections afforded only to government agencies. Per the SCOTUS they are not government agencies but are trade associations. (NCDB v FTC - 2015)
It's all about fees and fines.This is adversely affecting all disciplines of healthcare licensees - this is not just a physician concern.
The FSMB are nothing more than a lobbying firm for healthcare entities like Purdue Pharmaceuticals who in the past gave a $1 million plus "bribe" to FSMB to push opiates. That's what 501(c)(6) nonprofits do - they lobby for anonymous donors = bribers. These people are dirty.
The FSMB is a danger to public safety. Who and what do they work for? Why are they in a position, like the private trade association medical boards, to destroy physicians for eternity - the physician having no recourse to fight any of them. Physicians are crushed financially immediately by medical boards making any significant legal battle unaffordable
"Also, while charitable organizations are mostly prohibited from political activity, a 501(c)(6) may participate in limited political action such as endorsing or contributing to political candidates. However, the money spent on such activities is taxable."
I wonder if FSMB has contributed to any candidates.
Attachments:
1. FSMB own inside document discussing in detail why and how they will attack Integrative Physicians (those who practice allopathic and naturopathic medicine). And boy howdy, they have attacked these physicians relentlessly. As usual it is about money and turf disguised as 'patient safety and concern". Think of how many more position papers the FSMB has regarding how they will attack and remove physicians they don't like for whatever reason.
2. FSMB awards a pain specialist that they hired with Purdue Pharmaceutical money while the Senate Finance Committee is investigating them for illegal behavior.
3. Senator Grassley's letter to the FSMB. Hearings were held, but these records were sealed by Senators Orin Hatch and Ron Wyden of the Senate finance Comm.
4/5. FSMB document put out every 2 years documenting the number of investigations state medical boards are doing and the number of forever damaged physicians. See "The Scope of the Problem" page for further related information.
6/7/8. IRS 990 forms for the FSMBs. Most detailed information available about FSMB's 'finances'.
1. FSMB own inside document discussing in detail why and how they will attack Integrative Physicians (those who practice allopathic and naturopathic medicine). And boy howdy, they have attacked these physicians relentlessly. As usual it is about money and turf disguised as 'patient safety and concern". Think of how many more position papers the FSMB has regarding how they will attack and remove physicians they don't like for whatever reason.
2. FSMB awards a pain specialist that they hired with Purdue Pharmaceutical money while the Senate Finance Committee is investigating them for illegal behavior.
3. Senator Grassley's letter to the FSMB. Hearings were held, but these records were sealed by Senators Orin Hatch and Ron Wyden of the Senate finance Comm.
4/5. FSMB document put out every 2 years documenting the number of investigations state medical boards are doing and the number of forever damaged physicians. See "The Scope of the Problem" page for further related information.
6/7/8. IRS 990 forms for the FSMBs. Most detailed information available about FSMB's 'finances'.
special_report_by_fsmb_on_integrative_medicine_doctors.pdf | |
File Size: | 162 kb |
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fsmb_to_award_pain_treatment_doctor_scott_m._fishman_in_spite_of_senate_investigation_-_salem-news.com.pdf | |
File Size: | 509 kb |
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letter_to_fsmb_by_grassley.pdf | |
File Size: | 377 kb |
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fsmb_2016_document.pdf | |
File Size: | 9258 kb |
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fsmb_2018_us-medical-regulatory-trends-actions_-_copy.pdf | |
File Size: | 811 kb |
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fsmb_990_form_2015.pdf | |
File Size: | 1370 kb |
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fsmb_990_form_2016.pdf | |
File Size: | 1252 kb |
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fsmb_990_form_2017.pdf | |
File Size: | 1255 kb |
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A very inciteful, short paper regarding the FSMB by Dr. Aaron Geller Feb. 2023
fsmb_501c6_-_aaron_gellar.pdf | |
File Size: | 102 kb |
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