A pregnant woman in Tennessee was allegedly denied prenatal care—because she’s not married. The doctor cited the new “Medical Ethics Defense Act.” Let’s unpack what happened, what this law allows, and why it matters. 
🧵 1/ On July 20, Nashville Banner reported that a 35-year-old woman in Jonesborough, TN, was refused prenatal care. Why? She was unmarried. The OB/GYN allegedly said providing care “would go against her beliefs.”
Source: nashvillebanner.com
Source: nashvillebanner.com
2/The doctor cited Tennessee’s Medical Ethics Defense Act, signed into law in April 2025. The law allows medical providers to refuse any service or procedure that violates their “conscience” or “moral beliefs.”
Let’s look at the law.
Let’s look at the law.
3/ This law (SB955/HB1044) protects any health provider—from doctors to insurers—who refuse to perform, refer, or pay for services they object to morally.
No requirement to explain. No duty to refer.
It passed despite fierce opposition from medical groups.
No requirement to explain. No duty to refer.
It passed despite fierce opposition from medical groups.
4/ This woman wasn’t seeking abortion or controversial care. She just wanted routine prenatal care.
Instead, she was told:
“I won’t help you because you’re not married to the baby’s father.”
That’s what conscience-based care looks like in practice.
Instead, she was told:
“I won’t help you because you’re not married to the baby’s father.”
That’s what conscience-based care looks like in practice.
5/ Is this legal under federal law?
Federal EMTALA requires emergency care—but doesn’t apply to prenatal office visits.
Unless there’s clear discrimination under civil rights law, this may technically be legal under the new TN statute.
Federal EMTALA requires emergency care—but doesn’t apply to prenatal office visits.
Unless there’s clear discrimination under civil rights law, this may technically be legal under the new TN statute.
6/ The law’s supporters said it would protect providers from being forced into procedures like abortion or gender-affirming care.
Critics warned it would be used to deny routine care—and now, that’s apparently happening.
Critics warned it would be used to deny routine care—and now, that’s apparently happening.
7/ There’s no requirement in the law to:
•disclose such policies in advance
•provide alternate providers
•report refusals to any oversight body
In practice, this creates a patchwork of morality-based access to care.
•disclose such policies in advance
•provide alternate providers
•report refusals to any oversight body
In practice, this creates a patchwork of morality-based access to care.
8/ No official denial or confirmation from the doctor or clinic has been issued. The woman’s story remains uncorroborated—but no one has disputed the core facts. And the law undeniably allows this exact refusal.
9/ Tennessee is not alone. Similar conscience laws exist in several states—and more are coming.
But refusing prenatal care based on marital status exposes just how far such laws can go when there’s no clear boundary.
But refusing prenatal care based on marital status exposes just how far such laws can go when there’s no clear boundary.
10/ This isn’t about freedom of religion. It’s about freedom from someone else’s religion.
When providers use “beliefs” to gatekeep care, people suffer.
And it’s often women, LGBTQ+ patients, or unmarried individuals who pay the price.
When providers use “beliefs” to gatekeep care, people suffer.
And it’s often women, LGBTQ+ patients, or unmarried individuals who pay the price.
11/ It’s not just about one doctor.
It’s about a system where health care becomes a moral obstacle course.
Where “conscience” becomes code for discrimination.
And where being pregnant and unmarried becomes a reason to be turned away.
It’s about a system where health care becomes a moral obstacle course.
Where “conscience” becomes code for discrimination.
And where being pregnant and unmarried becomes a reason to be turned away.
12/ If this story makes you uncomfortable, it should.
Because the law is real.
And the consequences are already playing out in exam rooms across America.
Because the law is real.
And the consequences are already playing out in exam rooms across America.
13/ 📚 Sources & Links:
• TN Medical Ethics Defense Act (SB955/HB1044)
• Nashville Banner report:
• American College of OB/GYNs’ opposition statement
• Legal analysis by Kaiser Health Newsnashvillebanner.com/2025/07/20/doc…
• TN Medical Ethics Defense Act (SB955/HB1044)
• Nashville Banner report:
• American College of OB/GYNs’ opposition statement
• Legal analysis by Kaiser Health Newsnashvillebanner.com/2025/07/20/doc…
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