The Medical Ethics Defense Act establishes protections for medical practitioners and health care institutions 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 asserts that these entities have the right to refuse participation in health care services that conflict with their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. It prohibits discrimination against those who exercise their conscience and outlines that health care institutions must still provide emergency medical services as required by federal law.

Additionally, the Act provides immunity from civil, criminal, or administrative liability for good-faith exercises of conscience and includes whistleblower protections to prevent retaliation against those who report violations of the Act. It mandates that licensing boards must not penalize practitioners for protected speech unless clear evidence of harm is demonstrated. The bill also allows for civil actions against unlawful interference with conscience rights and establishes that any invalid provision does not affect the remaining provisions of the Act.