Doctors Accused of Refusing Care, Threatening Patients Over Politics and Religion

Medical professionals' controversial actions raise concerns about ethics and patient safety

Feb. 1, 2026 at 8:55am

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Several cases have emerged of medical professionals, including nurses and doctors, who have been accused of refusing care or making threats against patients based on the patients' political beliefs or religious affiliations. The incidents have led to the revocation of licenses and termination of employment for the healthcare workers involved.

Why it matters

These cases highlight the importance of medical ethics and the need for healthcare providers to put patient care and safety above personal political or religious views. Doctors and nurses have a duty to treat all patients with respect and provide appropriate medical care, regardless of the patient's background. Allowing healthcare workers to discriminate against or threaten patients undermines public trust in the medical system.

The details

In one case, a Florida nurse named Erik Martindale announced he would refuse to provide anesthesia for any "MAGA" patients, citing his political views. Another Florida nurse, Lexie Lawler, responded to news of a White House official's pregnancy by wishing the official would suffer a severe childbirth injury. In Ohio, Dr. Feras Hamdan was charged with threatening to kill a Jewish congressman and his family in an antisemitic rant. Similarly, Dr. Lara Kollab, formerly of the Cleveland Clinic, had tweeted that she would "purposely give all the yahood [Jews] the wrong meds." Kollab's medical license was eventually revoked.

  • In August 2025, Dr. Feras Hamdan was charged with threatening a U.S. congressman.
  • In June 2025, Dr. Hamdan was arrested after the congressman filed a complaint and requested a protective order.
  • In 2020, Dr. Lara Kollab's medical license was revoked after her antisemitic tweets surfaced.

The players

Erik Martindale

A former registered nurse in Florida who announced he would refuse to provide anesthesia for "MAGA" patients, leading to the revocation of his medical license.

Lexie Lawler

A former nurse at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Florida who responded to news of a White House official's pregnancy by wishing the official would suffer a severe childbirth injury, leading to her termination and license revocation.

Dr. Feras Hamdan

A family medicine physician in Cleveland, Ohio who was charged with threatening to kill a Jewish U.S. congressman and his family in an antisemitic rant.

Dr. Lara Kollab

A former doctor of osteopathic medicine at the Cleveland Clinic who tweeted that she would "purposely give all the yahood [Jews] the wrong meds", leading to the revocation of her medical license in 2020.

Rep. Max Miller

A Jewish U.S. congressman from Ohio who was the target of Dr. Hamdan's alleged threats.

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What they’re saying

“I will not perform anesthesia for any surgeries or procedures for MAGA. It is my right, it is my ethical oath and I stand behind my education. I own all of my businesses and I can refuse anyone.”

— Erik Martindale, Former Registered Nurse

“As a labor and delivery nurse, it gives me great joy to wish Karoline Leavitt a fourth-degree tear. I hope you f**king rip from bow to stern and never s**t normally again, you c**t.”

— Lexie Lawler, Former Nurse

“I'm on the freeway. I have somebody who has cut me off, who is flipping me off, who is showing me a Palestinian flag, and is yelling to kill me.”

— Rep. Max Miller (CNN)

“you're a dirty Jew. I'm going to f**king kill you all, and I know who you are and where you live.”

— Dr. Feras Hamdan, Family Medicine Physician (WJW)

What’s next

Authorities are investigating whether Dr. Hamdan's medical license should be suspended or revoked due to his alleged threats against a congressman.

The takeaway

These incidents underscore the critical need for medical professionals to uphold their ethical duty to treat all patients with respect and provide appropriate care, regardless of the patient's political, religious, or other personal affiliations. Allowing healthcare workers to discriminate against or threaten patients based on such factors erodes public trust and puts patient safety at risk.