Tennessee Democrats Introduce Bill to Protect Maternal Healthcare

The proposed Maternal Healthcare Protection Act aims to block doctors from refusing to treat pregnant patients.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Tennessee Democrats have introduced the Maternal Healthcare Protection Act in response to the state's Medical Ethics Defense Act, which allows healthcare providers to refuse services based on personal or religious beliefs. The new bill seeks to block providers from citing the 'right of conscience' to deny pregnancy-related care, with lawmakers arguing that delays in treatment can be life-threatening for pregnant patients.

Why it matters

Tennessee has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, and the state also ranks last for maternal mortality and in the bottom half for most other maternal and infant health metrics. This legislation is an attempt to address these troubling public health issues by ensuring access to essential pregnancy-related care.

The details

The Maternal Healthcare Protection Act was introduced by Rep. Aftyn Behn and Sen. Sharlane Oliver. It is a direct response to the Medical Ethics Defense Act, passed last year, which allows doctors, hospitals, and insurers to refuse services based on personal or religious beliefs. After the Medical Ethics Defense Act was enacted, a Tennessee doctor denied care to a pregnant woman because she was unmarried, sparking concerns from healthcare advocates.

  • The Medical Ethics Defense Act was passed in Tennessee last year.
  • Last summer, a Tennessee doctor denied care to a pregnant woman because she wasn't married.

The players

Rep. Aftyn Behn

A Tennessee state representative who has introduced the Maternal Healthcare Protection Act.

Sen. Sharlane Oliver

A Tennessee state senator who has introduced the Maternal Healthcare Protection Act.

Sen. Ferrell Haile

A Republican Tennessee state senator who praised the passage of the Medical Ethics Defense Act last year.

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What they’re saying

“When a pregnant person experiences a complication, whether is hemorrhaging, severe preeclampsia, infection or another life-threatening condition... time matters. Delays matter. Minutes matter.”

— Sen. Sharlane Oliver, State Senator (wsmv.com)

“Tennessee has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.”

— Rep. Aftyn Behn, State Representative (wsmv.com)

What’s next

The Maternal Healthcare Protection Act has been introduced in the Tennessee legislature and will now go through the committee process before potentially being voted on by the full House and Senate.

The takeaway

This legislation highlights the ongoing debate in Tennessee over balancing healthcare providers' rights of conscience with ensuring access to essential maternal care, especially given the state's troubling maternal and infant health outcomes. The fate of the Maternal Healthcare Protection Act will be closely watched as it moves through the legislative process.