Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act

Senate Bill

S. 3238

119th Congress

Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act

In Committee

Introduced:Nov 20, 2025

Primary Sponsor

James Lankford

R - OK

Cosponsors

13

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

This bill prohibits medical residency programs receiving Medicare funding from requiring abortion training unless residents voluntarily opt-in. Programs that discriminate against residents who decline abortion training would lose Medicare graduate medical education funding.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill prohibits medical residency programs receiving Medicare funding from requiring abortion training unless residents voluntarily opt-in. Programs that discriminate against residents who decline abortion training would lose Medicare graduate medical education funding.

Last updated: 12/27/2025

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Bars residency programs from requiring abortion training without opt-in
Protects residents from discrimination for declining abortion training
Covers training in performing, assisting, or counseling for abortions
Non-compliant programs lose approved medical residency status for Medicare
Affects Medicare direct graduate medical education payments to hospitals
Residents must voluntarily elect to participate in such training

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Impacts medical residents with religious or moral objections to abortion, obstetrics/gynecology training programs, teaching hospitals receiving Medicare GME funding, and medical education accreditation standards.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

3238, 119th Congress (2025). "Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-s-3238