COLUMBUS–Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the state budget last night, which contains a number of provisions backed by Center for Christian Virtue (CCV), including the Medical Ethics and Diversity (MED) Act.

The MED Act ensures doctors and medical professionals cannot be forced to perform medical procedures that violate their conscience or religious beliefs. This means, for instance, that doctors cannot be forced to perform abortions or prescribe dangerous puberty-blocking drugs to children for the purpose of “gender transitioning,” if doing so goes against their conscience.

It also allows insurance companies to create insurance plans for businesses and organizations in line with their religious beliefs, resolving the issue an order of nuns called The Little Sisters of the Poor have faced for wanting a plan that doesn’t include abortion coverage.

 The following statement is from CCV President Aaron Baer: 

“Medical professionals face unbelievable pressure today to abandon their faith and ethical beliefs and to perform procedures they believe are harmful and dangerous. Make no mistake, the politically correct and woke culture that is bullying and silencing millions of Americans today is ingrained deeply into Ohio’s medical system.

“Yet, today, these men and women should feel assured that help is here. Because the General Assembly included the MED Act in the budget, and Governor DeWine signed it, life-saving men and women of faith across the state can know they cannot be fired or punished for ethically treating their patients.

“Despite a fear campaign driven by religious freedom opponents and some medical associations, our elected leaders showed true courage and compassion by including the MED Act in the budget.

“Our state took a significant step last night to protect religious freedom because of Governor Mike DeWine, Senate President Matt Huffman, Speaker of the House Bob Cupp, and Senator Terry Johnson, who sponsored the amendment. 

“I also want to thank our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom for working with CCV and lawmakers to get these important protections in law. Truly, ADF is one of our nation’s greatest champions for the First Amendment.”

The state budget included a number of other key CCV-backed provisions, and CCV will provide a complete breakdown in the coming days. 

For more information, contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or info@ccv.org.

As Ohio’s largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel. 

###