National Abortion Federation
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.
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] 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."[2]
NAF is funded by donation only and is a registered charity.[3]
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.[4] The program offers Canadian women abortion referrals, options counseling and post-abortion counseling through the NAF toll-free helpline, and French language website support.[5]
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.[6] If pressed, a physician must indicate alternative sources where a woman might obtain a referral.[7] NAF has lobbied to force Canadian physicians to opt out of provincial healthcare plans entirely if they do not refer for abortion.[8]
References
- ^ Djupe, Paul A. and Laura R. Olson, Encyclopedia of American religion and politics, p. 84, Infobase Publishing 2003
- ^ "National Abortion Federation: Choosing the Right Clinic". Prochoice.org. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ^ "http://charityreports.bbb.org/public/Report.aspx?CharityID=514", NAF Charity Report of the The BBB Wise Giving Alliance, June 2005
- ^ "http://www.prochoice.org/news/releases/archive/2006/20060516.html", The National Abortion Federation Launches Canadian Public Policy and Outreach Program, May 16, 2006,
- ^ "http://www.prochoice.org/news/releases/archive/2006/20061109a.html", National Abortion Federation Launches Web Resources for French-Speaking Audience, November 9, 2006
- ^ "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
- ^ "http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/176/9/1310?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=abortion&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=date&resourcetype=HWCIT", Clarification of the CMA's position concerning induced abortions, Canadian Medical Association Journal, April 24th, 2007
- ^ "http://www.prochoice.org/news/releases/20070509.html", National Abortion Federation Calls on Canadian Medical Association to Change their Abortion Referral Policy, May 9, 2007