Bill > HF571

This bill, known as the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," establishes protections for medical practitioners and health care institutions in Iowa, effective July 1, 2026. It defines "conscience" as deeply held ethical, moral, or religious beliefs, and "discrimination" as adverse actions taken against those who refuse to participate in or pay for health care services based on conscience. The bill grants medical practitioners and health care institutions the right to refuse participation in or payment for health care services that violate their conscience, provided they inform their employer of the objection and do not violate existing duties to provide care that doesn't conflict with their conscience. It also clarifies that these rights do not override the requirement to provide emergency medical services and allows religiously affiliated institutions to make employment and admitting decisions consistent with their beliefs. Furthermore, the bill provides immunity from civil, criminal, or administrative liability for good-faith exercise of conscience and protects against retaliation for reporting suspected violations of the act or for disclosing information about illegal practices, mismanagement, or patient safety risks, while still respecting patient privacy laws like HIPAA. It also shields medical practitioners and institutions from disciplinary action for exercising free speech rights protected by the First Amendment, unless that speech directly caused physical harm to a patient within the preceding three years, and mandates timely notification of complaints to those accused. Finally, the bill prohibits interference with these rights and allows for legal action, including injunctions and monetary damages, for violations, while affirming that these protections are in addition to existing legal rights.