The Medical Ethics Defense Act aims to provide protections for medical practitioners, health care institutions, and health care payors regarding their exercise of conscience, whistleblower activities, and free speech. The bill defines key terms such as "conscience," "discrimination," "health care institution," and "medical practitioner," and establishes that these entities have the right to refuse participation in health care services that conflict with their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs without facing discrimination. It also clarifies that this right does not exempt them from federal requirements to provide emergency medical services.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for whistleblower protections, ensuring that practitioners and institutions cannot be penalized for reporting suspected violations of the law or for disclosing information related to unethical practices. It prohibits state licensing boards from sanctioning practitioners for engaging in protected speech unless it can be proven that such speech directly caused physical harm. The legislation also makes it unlawful to interfere with the rights established under the bill and allows for civil action against those who do. A severability clause is included to ensure that if any part of the bill is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable.