Jackie Schlegel
Executive Director
Texans for Medical Freedom
Jackie Schlegel is a mother of three young adults -one with profound developmental disabilities and two with complex medical needs. Her journey into advocacy began with deep personal battles navigating medical systems, hospital bureaucracy, and government agencies while fighting for her children’s care. Determined to help other families face similar challenges, Jackie began mentoring parents and founded Connections Kids, a magazine providing resources and guidance for families of children with special needs.
In 2015, Jackie founded and served as Executive Director of the state’s first vaccine freedom organization, laying the foundation for what would become a powerful, statewide medical freedom movement. As the fight evolved, she launched Texans for Medical Freedom to address broader threats to informed consent, parental rights, and ethical healthcare policy.
In 2021, after years of coalition-building and grassroots mobilization, Jackie helped lead the charge on a landmark bipartisan medical protection bill with unanimous passage through both chambers of the Texas Legislature. She then played a central role in securing a statewide ban on vaccine passports-signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.
By 2023, Jackie had become one of the most influential medical freedom advocates in Texas. She stood as an invited guest of Governor Abbott for the signing of Senate Bill 7, Texans for Medical Freedom’s top legislative priority and the strongest COVID-19 vaccine mandate ban in the nation.
In 2025, under Jackie’s leadership, Texans for Medical Freedom achieved a historic legislative session-passing 5 of its 8 priority bills, including groundbreaking protections for informed consent, parental rights, exemption access, vaccine transparency, and organ transplant eligibility. She also helped advance Make America Healthy Again initiatives alongside national partners.
Today, Jackie continues to lead Texans for Medical Freedom with bold vision and unwavering determination. In addition to her role as Executive Director, she serves as a trusted advisor to Moms Across America, supporting national efforts to restore health freedom, protect families, and demand transparency in public health policy.
