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To me, it's a little odd that HL7 requires you to be a member to distribute the standard within your organization and in that sense implement the standard and tell others who have implemented the standard what parts you'll be implementing, especially when it's nothing classier than a few pipes and carets for 2.x and some sort of XML for 3.0.

I can understand paying money to use a library to utilize HL7 or even the source code to build the library to utilize HL7. But what's the point of requiring membership to see the spec to write the sourcecode to build the library to utilize HL7?

Peter Turner
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The justification is that it takes cash to support the HL7 organisation, and they have to get it from their members somehow. Making that membership means they have a fairly reliable income so managing the organisation is easier (read: cheaper). I even agree with the justification to a large extent. Paying for a copy of the standard knowing that there's a significant premium in there to cover uncertainty would suck. And dealing with the DRM would suck more, because you can bet there'd be something to stop you copying a $5000 document.

Also, "a few pipes and carets for 2.x and some sort of XML for 3.0" is a bit harsh. If you think that, I suggest building your own standard that is cheaper and simpler. All you need to do is get a huge collection of health bodies and software developers to agree with you and you're good to go. Also, compared to the old style where every monkey and his dog had a go at their own EDI system, HL7 is pure brilliance. And that really is where it came from.

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Fair: no. Normal: pretty much. As the health care industry transitions to the HIPAA 5010 standard next year, anyone who utilizes an X12N EDI transaction will need the implementation guide to remain compliant. The publisher is charging $2500 for the guides. The previous versions were at one time free, apparently someone saw the boatloads of cash that would be made by capitalizing on a standard.

John Straka
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This is normal for several standards organizations, including ISO. If you want an official copy of the C++ standard, it will cost you.

David Thornley
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