Iowa House Approves Bill Allowing Health Care Providers to Decline Services Violating Beliefs

The legislation would let medical professionals opt out of procedures that conflict with their ethical, moral, or religious convictions.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:33pm

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The Iowa House has given final approval to a bill that would allow health care providers to decline to participate in services that violate their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. The bill, known as the 'Medical Ethics Defense Act', passed along party lines and now heads to the governor's desk for signature.

Why it matters

This legislation is part of a broader debate around the rights of medical professionals to refuse to provide certain services, such as abortion or gender-affirming care, on the basis of their personal beliefs. Supporters argue it will help recruit more doctors and nurses to Iowa, while critics say it could limit access to legal medical procedures.

The details

Republican Representative Bill Gustoff of Des Moines, a sponsor of the bill, says it's intended to protect medical professionals from being forced to violate their ethical, moral, or religious convictions. He cites statistics showing that one in five medical students report choosing not to practice in certain fields due to 'hostility to their beliefs', and that nine out of 10 religious or faith-based doctors, nurses, and other providers would rather stop practicing medicine than violate their beliefs.

  • The initial 'Medical Ethics Defense Act' passed the Iowa House a year ago.
  • The Iowa Senate made some adjustments to the bill before approving their own version earlier this month.
  • The Iowa House voted along party lines on Monday to approve the Senate's changes and send the bill to the governor.

The players

Bill Gustoff

A Republican state representative from Des Moines and a sponsor of the 'Medical Ethics Defense Act'.

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What they’re saying

“One in five medical students report choosing not to practice in certain fields due to hostility to their beliefs. Nine out of 10 doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who identify as religious or faith based say they'd rather stop practicing medicine rather than violate their ethical, moral or religious beliefs.”

— Bill Gustoff, State Representative

What’s next

The bill now heads to the governor's desk for signature.

The takeaway

This legislation is part of an ongoing debate over the balance between the rights of medical providers to act according to their personal beliefs and the need to ensure access to legal medical services. Its passage in Iowa highlights the continued political divisions around these issues.