MEDICAL CONSCIENCE RIGHTS INITIATIVE
Protecting Religious Freedom in Healthcare
OVERVIEW
The Medical Conscience Rights Initiative (MCRI) is a joint effort launched in 2020 by the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI), Alliance Defending Freedom, and Christ Medicus Foundation to equip state leaders to understand why protecting religious medical practitioners and institutions is so vital. No medical practitioner, clinic, or hospital should be pressured or coerced to perform, or otherwise participate in, highly contested, elective procedures such as abortion, physician assisted suicide, or “gender transition” surgery.
MCRI involves a multi-level strategy, including:
- Print and digital media campaigns
- Education resources
- Grassroots coalition building in select states
- Direct professional and educational advocacy with state leaders
- Hearing testimony provided by coalition partners
Medical conscience rights are rooted in:
- Human Dignity
- The purpose of medicine to administer life-affirming care
- The medical practitioner's oath to Do No Harm
- First Amendment protections of religious conscience and free exercise
Five states — Arkansas, Ohio, South Carolina, Montana, and Florida — have enacted robust medical conscience protections in recent years. Similar efforts are ongoing in multiple other states.
To learn more, contact RFI by phone: 202-838-7734 or email: crfe@rfi.org.
ARTICLES
Protecting the Unborn, Mothers, and Medical Ethics: The Stakes of Arkansas’ Amendment
RFI’s David Trimble Speaks to Medical Conscience Rights of Hospitals that Refuse Abortions
RFI President Discusses Medical Conscience Rights with Dr. Ben Carson
America’s Seismic Shift in Medical Ethics Threatens Religious Freedom
Reaffirming the Nature of Medicine in a Society that Too Often Rejects It
Becoming a Catholic OB/GYN and the Need for Others to Make the Journey
RFI Hosts Launch Event for Policy Institute Defending Catholic Health Care Providers
Fired Christian Physician Assistant Clears Important Hurdle in Court Case
A Physician’s Credo
Religious Hospitals in Canada Must Remain Free to Refuse “Medical Assistance in Dying”
HHS’s Crusade Against Religious Freedom and Conscience Rights in Healthcare
Who Decides? Resolving Conflicts between Individual Conscience and Institutional Identity
RFI’s Eric Patterson Speaks at 2022 Religious Freedom Annual Review
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 9
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 8
Euthanasia is a runaway train in Canada. It’s time to hit the brakes.
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 7
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 6
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 5
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 4
VIDEO CAMPAIGN
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 9
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 8
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 7
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 6
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 5
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 4
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 3
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 2
