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House adopts Medical Ethics Defense Act protecting conscience and free-speech claims by health workers; opponents voice concerns about discrimination
Summary
The House passed legislation shielding health-care providers who refuse to provide or participate in certain procedures on conscience grounds and offering whistleblower protections, prompting questions about patient protections and possible misuse.
The Tennessee House on April 8 adopted a bill described by its sponsor as the Medical Ethics Defense Act, which provides conscience protections and certain free-speech safeguards for health-care providers.
Chairman Terry, presenting the measure, told the chamber the bill "has three protections": conscience protection for providers who decline to participate in procedures that violate their conscience; whistleblower protection; and a limit on government actions against providers for their…
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