“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed” (Proverbs 31:8, NLT)
That scriptural challenge is a driving factor for the work we do in advocacy here at CMDA. As one of the core aspects of CMDA’s ministry efforts, we are dedicated to serving as a Christian healthcare voice in the public, to the media and to the government. And we do that through our grassroots advocacy efforts on both state and federal levels as we stand together to bring the hope and healing of Christ to the world through advocacy.
As Christians in healthcare, we glorify God by serving as a voice to the nation and standing in support of life from biblical, scientific and ethical foundations. We do this in part to equip you to defend and care for your most vulnerable patients
Discussion Forum
Stimulating thought & discussion on the most pressing issues in healthcare. Educating, encouraging, and equipping healthcare professionals & the Church to practice & advocate for good medicine.
Small Group Study
As Christians, we are called to be advocates for God’s Word, and we are called to speak truth into ethical issues and courageously stand up for what’s morally right according to our beliefs.
The Voice of Advocacy Podcast
Learn about Advocacy’s efforts at the state and federal level, legal and legislative victories, and how you can be involved in achieving justice for the vulnerable.
Standing Strong Curriculum
This curriculum’s six video modules are designed for allowing viewers to solidify their foundational worldview beliefs regarding important issues, such as biblical worldview, biblical sexuality, etc. Each module also offers ideas of how to winsomely defend biblical values.
Third Quarter 2025 Newsletter
CMDA remains a plaintiff in one case that has been in the courts for over two years, Right to Life of Michigan v. Whitmer. There were numerous victories in which CMDA signed on with others on Amicus Briefs: Skrmetti; Kloosterman; World Vision; Brandt v. Griffin; Poe v. Drummond; Mahmoud v. Taylor; Medina v. Planned Parenthood; GenBioPro v. Raynes. Praise the Lord! We have numerous cases pending including those before the U.S. Supreme Court and circuit courts, two regarding pregnancy centers, and counseling for those under 18 years old on sex and gender.
First Quarter 2026 Newsletter
We applaud the U.S. Supreme Court’s important and monumental 8-1 decision in Chiles v. Salazar. This March 31, 2026, decision supports the First Amendment free speech rights of mental health professionals and condemns Colorado’s 2019 law to censor viewpoints affirming biological truth.
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Our Core Advocacy Priorities
Our advocacy efforts focus on four main categories that align with policies where Jesus had the greatest concern, specifically in areas impacting health. Advocacy in these main categories involves a broad spectrum of actions to achieve justice for those suffering, just as Jesus outlined in scriptural principles.
Learn More About Our Priorities
“Advocating the Justice Priorities of Jesus”
by Senior Vice President of Bioethics and Public Policy Jeffrey J. Barrows, DO, MA (Ethics) Spring 2023 edition of CMDA Today.
“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
—Psalm 82:3-4, ESV
Take Action
What are the steps you can take to get involved in advocacy efforts?
Step 1
Prepare Your Heart to Be Courageous
The first step is to pray about how God is calling you to get involved. As a healthcare professional, your voice carries weight—and we need that weight and expertise as we stand together to bring the hope and healing of Christ to the world through advocacy.
Step 2
Be Equipped to Stand
CMDA provides a variety of resources to help prepare you to become a prominent voice in advocacy efforts, including:
These statements are designed to provide you with biblical, ethical, social and scientific understanding of bioethical issues in a compassionate and caring manner.
An annual conference teaching you to be a CMDA media representative and to prepare you to testify in your state legislature.
Step 3
Join the Grassroots Efforts
Through a network of volunteers and other like-minded organizations, we have boots on the ground across the country to stand against the wave of legislative and cultural changes in both federal and state arenas.
- Contact and meet with legislators
- Prepare and submit written testimony on bills
- Testify in-person on bills
- Network and connect with like-minded individuals
- Educate the public in your local community
- Develop relationships with local contacts
Contact CMDA’s Advocacy Team to get started today!
Legal Victories
We are grateful to our partners at Alliance Defending Freedom and Becket Law for representing CMDA in these cases.
Transgender Mandate
In Franciscan Alliance v. Becerra, CMDA joined a group of religious hospitals and nine states to stand against the controversial “Transgender Mandate,” which threatens religious doctors and hospitals with penalties unless they perform transgender transitions and abortions in violation of their conscience and best medical judgment. You can visit cmda.org/transgendermandate to learn how this impacts you as a CMDA member.
EMTALA
In State of Texas v. Becerra, CMDA joined the American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) to stop the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from attempting to employ the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) and force physicians to provide elective abortions in the emergency room. This case is still ongoing in the court system.
California Assisted Suicide
In CMDA v. Bonta, CMDA sued the state of California after it enacted a law that required doctors to participate in assisted suicide against their religious convictions and professional ethics. A federal district court ruled in 2023 that the law violated the First Amendment rights of medical professionals.
New Mexico Assisted Suicide
In Lacy v. Torrez, CMDA joined Mark Lacy, MD, in a lawsuit to combat a New Mexico law that required doctors to facilitate assisted suicide in ways that violate their religious convictions and professional ethics. In direct response, New Mexico passed a new law in 2023 that allows medical professionals to decline to participate in assisted suicide for conscience or religious beliefs.
You can get more involved in legislative advocacy through the
American Academy of Medical Ethics
