A pregnant woman in Tennessee has spoken out about being denied prenatal care by a doctor who cited religious objections under a new state law that allows health care providers to refuse services that conflict with their beliefs. The woman, who has been in a relationship with her partner for 15 years but is not married, said her provider refused to treat her, stating that her status as an “unwed mother” was incompatible with the provider’s Christian values.
The incident, which occurred after the woman’s initial pregnancy visit, has drawn widespread attention after video of her remarks at a town hall meeting earlier this month was shared online. In the video, the 35-year-old describes her fear of giving birth in Tennessee, where abortion is nearly entirely banned, and says she has now sought prenatal care in Virginia.
“While we do love and want this child, I also have a 13-year-old and I can’t leave her behind,” she said, visibly emotional.
The woman, who spoke with TN Repro News on condition of anonymity, confirmed she has filed formal complaints against the provider with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and the American Medical Association.
Her case is believed to be the first publicized example of a care refusal under Tennessee’s Medical Ethics Defense Act, which came into effect in April. The law broadly protects doctors, nurses, and even insurance providers from being compelled to perform or pay for medical services that violate their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs.
Legal experts and reproductive rights advocates have voiced alarm over the law’s potential scope. “This is exactly what we feared,” said Valarie Blake, a health law professor at the University of Tennessee. “There’s really nothing stopping a provider from refusing care based on a wide range of personal objections, from reproductive care to a patient’s marital status, lifestyle, or other factors.”
The law includes a narrow exception for federally mandated emergency care, such as under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), but critics argue that protection is limited and often ineffective in practice.
The legislation was championed by the conservative legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, which hailed it as a victory for religious liberty in health care. However, reproductive rights advocates argue it risks creating a fragmented system where patient access depends on individual providers’ beliefs.
“This law doesn’t just target abortion—it threatens access to all forms of reproductive care,” said Israel Cook of the Center for Reproductive Rights. “In a state with already high maternal mortality rates and widespread hospital closures, it’s pushing essential care even further out of reach.”
With Tennessee’s health care system already under pressure, advocates warn that more such incidents could emerge. “This may be the first, but it won’t be the last,” Blake said.
