The proposed bill, known as the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," establishes the rights of health care providers, institutions, and payers to refuse participation in or payment for health care services that conflict with their conscience, which is defined as their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. It specifically allows religious-based health care organizations to make decisions aligned with their beliefs and prohibits discrimination against those exercising their right to refuse based on conscience. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of health care institutions and payers to adopt internal policies regarding these rights and mandates that health care payers file annual reports detailing services they will not cover based on their conscience.

Additionally, the bill provides protections against civil or criminal liability for health care providers, institutions, and payers exercising their right of conscience. It prohibits adverse licensing actions based on protected expressive activities and establishes a framework for civil remedies in cases of violations of the act. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain sections becoming effective immediately upon the bill's passage.