As I suspect most know, Obamacare encourages insurers to promote an annual "wellness exam" for their insureds. So I am seeking a physician so as to take advantage of the financial incentives offered by my insurer. I last consulted with a physician over 20 years ago, and I am finding that much has changed while I haven't been paying attention.

The new patient medical history form, the structure of which is also apparently mandated by Obamacare, has a question in the "personal safety" section, to wit: "Gun Ownership - If you have a gun at home, is it properly secured?" Multiple choice answers are Yes/No/Not Applicable. Nowhere is "properly secured" defined.

Obviously, a bullshit question, founded on invalid assumptions, and politically-charged opinion. I intend to write in, "decline to answer," and explain face-to-face if it comes up, but I am not exactly eager to engage with a physician on the wrong foot, not that I'm losing a lot of sleep over it. I am also quite willing to answer a hypothetical question with the hypothetical answer of "Yes," but that just moves whatever assumptions somewhat might make to a different level.

Who else has encountered this situation? How did you answer? Was it questioned? How did it go?

Needs additional answer - None of your fucking business.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
Needs additional answer - None of your fucking business.

^^ THIS!

RMD

I've never seen the question on any of the forms I've had to fill out. Nor have I ever had a doctor ask the question.

I'm curious how this is answered by others here.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by rduckwor:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
Needs additional answer - None of your fucking business.

^^ THIS!

RMD

Yup....the only answer!

PS .... "properly secured" is not an acceptable choice either.....fuck them!

Bunch of horse shit, but you already knew that. At our first visit with our daughters MD they pulled the same thing. Are there any firearms in there house, the nurse asks? I said “you better believe it, I’m a firearms dealer!” That got kind of a blank look. The MD turned out to be great though, no worries.

Leave them blank.

It's none of their business and they can't deny service to you if you don't answer it.

I’ve only seen the question once, on a hospital form. I answered NO. I may have bought 1 or 2 and forgot about it.

If I'm asked that question by my physician, that person is no longer my physician. It's outrageous a doctor would even deign to ask such a thing.

quote:

Originally posted by dusty3030:
Leave them blank.

I agree. No need to answer it. I doubt it is part of your medical record.

I'm an administrator with one of the largest hospital systems in the South. No where in our EMR system is there a place for such info.

Just leave it blank.

quote:

Leave them blank.

It's none of their business and they can't deny service to you if you don't answer it.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This is the best answer. I would not do anything to call attention to yourself. I do not care about my physician and his politics as long as they are not imposed on me.

I think you just pass over that question. I bet you won't hear any more about it.

I also think you are giving this far more thought than it merits.

I get it, some busy-body doctors, and maybe politicians, think this is a public health issue, but it really isn't. However, you aren't going to cause any revisions to any forms by making an issue of it or writing some biting social criticism on the form. If the doctor asks, tell him you aren't answering and why.

This BS started during Clinton admin when the Surgeon General decided guns were a public health issue. I always ignored the question. Florida even has a law that prohibits medical professionals from making care decisions on the basis of firearm use.

The question is relevant sometimes in mental health matters but nowhere else.

I'd just leave it blank, they won't do anything like toss you out, the other day started with a new foot doctor to remove an ingrown toe nail, the second question asked for my SSN, I left it blank, nobody said anything.

Nothing about guns and found he's a Trump supporter, then again he'd numbed my toe and had sharp scissors in his hand so I wasn't going to start any issues at that point lol

"None of your GODDAMNED BUSINESS"

I always put N/A; because that information is not applicable to my medical care. It ain’t lyin’, and it ain’t sayin’ shit.

Total opposite in my case. I just wrote this thread about my Primary Care Physician visit a week or two ago....It would be great if you lived close by here in South Florida, he's a great Doc!

>>>LINK<<<< My Doctors view on handguns

About two months as I lay writhing in pain in the ER due to kidney stones, the young nurse/attendant/whatever comes in (this is only 2 or 3 minutes after they take me back - so I'm still in a lot of pain) and asks if I have any guns in the house and if I feel suicidal. I didn't feel like fighting it at that exact moment. I wanted my morphine

The nurse during my last physical included the question, are there any guns in the home? I answered no. My wife had two in the waiting room and the rest were in the safe. There were none out in the home.

Fill out the form anyway you chose. You're not under oath.

The first time I saw that question on a form, I left it blank. The no firearms sign on the front door was another clue. I was meeting a new doctor for the first time.

When the doctor introduced himself, I said let's cut to the chase. Where do you stand on the 2nd Amendment? He laughed and revealed the GLOCK 19 under his sweater. Then he said he's sent all of his reception staff to GUNSITE for training and purchased them pistols. They all carried in the office. He asked what I carry. Nice guy just caught up in the Obama crap.

All three of my doctors are firearms enthusiasts.