The Medical Ethics Defense Act aims to provide protections for medical practitioners, health care institutions, and health care payors regarding their rights to exercise conscience, engage in whistleblower activities, and express 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 health care payors cannot decline payment for services based on such refusals, and it emphasizes the obligation to provide emergency medical services as required by federal law.

Additionally, the Act includes provisions for whistleblower protections, ensuring that individuals cannot be discriminated against for reporting violations or participating in related proceedings. It establishes that medical practitioners and institutions cannot be held liable for good faith exercises of conscience and outlines penalties for entities that fail to comply with the Act's requirements, including administrative penalties for not providing timely complaint notifications. The bill also allows for civil actions against unlawful interference with the exercise of conscience and provides for various forms of relief, including injunctive relief and monetary damages. Lastly, it includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the Act is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable.