Harman Patil (Editor)

National Abortion Federation

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Founder
  
Frances Kissling

Founded
  
1977

National Abortion Federation httpsprochoiceorgwpcontentuploadsnaflogo2

Profiles

16 15360 national abortion federation v center for medical progress


The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is an organization of abortion providers. Though originally a U.S. group, NAF has expanded to include practitioners in Canada and Australia as well as many European countries and Mexico. According to their web site, half of all abortions performed in the United States and Canada are performed by NAF members.

Contents

NAF was established in 1977 with the merger of the National Association of Abortion Facilities (NAAF), founded by Merle Hoffman, and the National Abortion Council (NAC). One of its founders was Frances Kissling, later president of Catholics for a Free Choice. They participate in a variety of activities, including lobbying efforts, public outreach campaigns, and a helpline referral service to member practitioners. The organization annually holds a meeting to address areas of concern to abortion facilities such as political challenges, staffing, and legal issues. Since 1981 NAF has also held an annual Risk Management Seminar to address clinical aspects of abortion practice. They also publish clinical guidelines for practitioners.

NAF indicates that "In order to become a member, a clinic must complete a rigorous application process. Member clinics have agreed to comply with our standards for quality and care, updated annually in our Clinical Policy Guidelines, which set the evidence-based standards for abortion care in North America. NAF periodically conducts site visits to confirm that our clinics are in compliance with our guidelines."

NAF is funded by donation only and is a registered charity.

National abortion federation on partial birth abortion part 1 some graphic language


Canadian Public Policy and Outreach Program

NAF launched a Canadian Public Policy and Outreach Program on May 16, 2006 with the support of Senator Lucie Pépin, Federal MP and former Minister of State for Health Carolyn Bennett and NDP Status of Women Critic Irene Mathyssen. The program offers Canadian women abortion referrals, options counseling and post-abortion counseling through the NAF toll-free helpline, and French language website support.

NAF has taken issue with the Canadian Medical Association's (CMA) abortion referral policy which allows physicians to refuse to refer women to abortion providers in accordance with their conscience and CMA Policy - Induced Abortion. If pressed, a physician must indicate alternative sources where a woman might obtain a referral. NAF has lobbied to force Canadian physicians to opt out of provincial healthcare plans entirely if they do not refer for abortion.

References

National Abortion Federation Wikipedia