As a liberal, you don't care? then why is one's sexual orientation a question on HealthCare.gov?
They do care, because it effects your future healthcare cost. They also ask question if you're a sky-diver or any other high-risk activity. Do they care if you're "gay", not really. Do they know that life style comes with health hazards? Yes.
When the Chinese, or Russia come marching in here - they may find all those question very usefully as to who goes up against a wall first.

Not to everyone... just the Government.

O'Care changed it from Hippocratic to Hypocritic oath. I'm sure it's part of the law now...

Time for another dentist, IMO...

You wrote... "This is anything but normal, at least in a free country"...

What ever gave you the idea you still lived in a "free country"?

Blasphemer! Burn them... burn them all. However, this really isn't a case of the "church of medicine." It is the church of state exercised through "private" medicine and "private" insurers (hence, the fascism reference, we're already there folks) . The follow up on the interaction with my doctor (he is in practice with his wife) is that his son is college freshman and not sure of his direction other than bio-science. The doctors' advised him to stay as far away from human medicine as possible. This conversation was a direct result of my comment on the Obama Healthcare Tax questions.The family GP is in it until her loans are paid. I am sure just about everyone can relate similar stories, including members of MSM.

The Church of Medicine. Banish the naysayer.

Snopes claims they are 100% ad supported. Evidence?

And the gun question to a child is in the list of questions? If so, welcome to Nazi America.

As a teacher I have often been surprised at the topics that came up in the curriculum, the questions I was told were part of that curriculum.
As a mandated report (I have to report suspected child abuse or I can go to jail) I understand a doctor having to ask if they suspect something - I would brave hellfire and brimstone rather than let the chance to ask that child that question out of earshot of the parent IF I had reason for suspicion.
But to just ask as routine questioning? That is a parent's right, NOT mine, not a doctors, just on the basis of simple ethics.

I do not fear this government. Fear blinds you.
If I see this behavior I will do everything I can legally and ethically to speak up. Do the same. This is only the beginning if you let this go.

doctors are required to ask if you own firearms if they are prescribing anti-depressant medication. It is a huge liability issue for them.
Snopes is in part funded by a Soros backed organization.

I understand this question applies mainly to registered gun owners.

Strange times, indeed....

I understand they did away with the hypocratic oath a while back.

Geez, that's insane. WTH?

I am sure I'm "noncompliant" in my file, due to my stance on vaccines (less than totally compliant). I actually win the arguments, though. I'm sure that gives me special consideration.

Pol Pot would know just what to do with me...

I was asked about tobacco use at the eye doctor. I gave the nurse a pass, but asked the doctor if it was a medical question or Obama question. He turned to me and smiled. I then asked what would happen if a difficult minded patient simply declined to answer... I would have to pay my bill in cash because he can not collect from the private insurance agencies without the government answers... enter fascism. Yes, this is anything, but normal.

then why ask the question in the doctor's office? Let's see...I have a pamphlet here somewhere...

what happens if you refuse to answer?

all of these answers are inputted into your electronic medical records. Unanswered questions either look like 1. you are not willing to comply-so could be a consideration in future insurance or care 2. the doctor is not doing their job adequately

Every visit to a VA doc has involved questions that were none of their business for a number of years. Now we see these things spreading out from a centralized government for centralized control of our increasingly centralized lives.

Can someone explain what PPACA has to do with this? If I give someone money to do a job, how does PPACA make them do it differently? I'm not saying it doesn't, but I don't care why people keep mentioning it. I can't imagine PPACA is going to make my doctor behave differently. We work hard to get those C-notes, and we expect our venders and service providers to do the same. I don't even see where PPACA comes into it.