State interference in the refusal of a Jehovah's Witness to accept a blood transfusion

This article explores the limits of an individual's First Amendment right to exercise his or her religious beliefs in a medical context. Specifically, when can a state interfere with the decision by a Jehovah's Witness to refuse a blood transfusion? The standard which is generally applied in these cases is whether the state has a compelling interest which can override an individual's First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion.