The proposed bill, titled the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," aims to establish and protect the rights of medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, and healthcare payers to refuse participation in or payment for medical procedures or services that conflict with their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. It defines key terms such as "conscience," "discrimination," and "healthcare institution," and outlines the rights of conscience, which include the right not to participate in or pay for any medical procedure or service that violates their conscience, as well as immunity from civil, criminal, or administrative liability for exercising this right.

The bill specifies that no discrimination shall occur against those who decline to participate in procedures based on their conscience, detailing various forms of discrimination that are prohibited. It also includes provisions for religious entities to make employment, staffing, contracting, and admitting privilege decisions consistent with their religious beliefs.

Additionally, the act provides whistleblower protections for medical practitioners who report violations of the chapter, ensuring they cannot be discriminated against for disclosing information related to such violations. It allows for civil actions to be brought against any party that violates the rights established in the act, with provisions for damages and injunctive relief, including the possibility of recovering threefold actual damages and reasonable attorneys' fees.

The bill emphasizes that the right of conscience does not exempt healthcare providers from the obligation to provide emergency medical treatment as required by federal law. The act is set to take effect upon passage.