National Abortion Federation

The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers. NAF members include private and non-profit clinics, Planned Parenthood affiliates, women's health centers, physicians' offices, and hospitals who together perform approximately half of the abortions in the U.S. and Canada each year. NAF members also include public hospitals and both public and private clinics in Mexico City and private clinics in Colombia. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, an Episcopal priest, was the President and CEO of NAF until October 2021. As of November 2021, NAF is searching for a new President and CEO.

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.[1]

NAF publishes Clinical Policy Guidelines for Abortion Care (CPGs), which set the standards for abortion procedures.[2] First published in 1996 and revised annually, the CPGs distill a large body of medical knowledge into guidelines developed by consensus, based on rigorous review of relevant literature and known patient outcomes. 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. NAF periodically conducts site visits to confirm that our clinics are in compliance with our guidelines."[3]

NAF is funded by donation only and is a registered charity.[4]

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.[5] The program offers Canadian women abortion referrals, options counseling and post-abortion counseling through the NAF toll-free helpline, and French language website support.[6]

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.[7] If pressed, a physician must indicate alternative sources where a woman might obtain a referral.[8] NAF has lobbied to require Canadian physicians to opt out of provincial healthcare plans entirely if they do not refer for abortion.[9]

Canadian database

The National Abortion Federation of Canada provides a detailed list of abortion clinics by province and the maximum gestational period that the clinic will provide abortion up to. The website also has other resources, including information on referrals and how to obtain financial support for travel expenses, after-treatment supplies, child care and various other needs.[10]

References
  1. Djupe, Paul A. and Laura R. Olson, Encyclopedia of American religion and politics, p. 84, Infobase Publishing 2003
  2. "National Abortion Federation: Clinical Policy Guidelines". Prochoice.org. Retrieved 2020-02-08.
  3. "National Abortion Federation: Choosing the Right Clinic". Prochoice.org. Archived from the original on 2004-11-13. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  4. "http://charityreports.bbb.org/public/Report.aspx?CharityID=514", NAF Charity Report of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, June 2005.
  5. "http://www.prochoice.org/news/releases/archive/2006/20060516.html Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine", The National Abortion Federation Launches Canadian Public Policy and Outreach Program, May 16, 2006,
  6. "http://www.prochoice.org/news/releases/archive/2006/20061109a.html Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine", National Abortion Federation Launches Web Resources for French-Speaking Audience, November 9, 2006
  7. "http://policybase.cma.ca/dbtw-wpd/PolicyPDF/PD88-06.pdf", CMA Policy Policy document PD88-06 - Induced abortion (1988), Approved August 24, 1988, Last Reviewed February 24, 2007
  8. Blackmer, Jeff (April 24, 2007). "Clarification of the CMA's position concerning induced abortion". Canadian Medical Association Journal. 176 (9): 1310. doi:10.1503/cmaj.1070035. PMC 1852867. PMID 17452673. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  9. "http://www.prochoice.org/news/releases/20070509.html Archived 2007-07-11 at the Wayback Machine", National Abortion Federation Calls on Canadian Medical Association to Change their Abortion Referral Policy, May 9, 2007
  10. "Abortion Coverage by Region". National Abortion Federation Canada.
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