National Abortion Federation
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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. According to their web site, half of all abortions performed in the United States are performed by NAF members.
NAF was established in 1977 with the merger of the National Association of Abortion Facilities (NAAF) and the National Abortion Council (NAC). They participate in a variety of activities, including lobbying efforts, public outreach campaigns, and maintaining a hotline referring women to member practitioners, giving accurate medical information about abortion, non-biased options counseling and post-abortion counseling, as well as helping to fundraise for women who cannot afford the full cost of an abortion due to Medicaid restrictions.[citation needed] 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 publishes a set of 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."[1]
NAF is particularly controversial to pro-life organizations because a small number of member doctors and facilities have been involved with legal troubles such as malpractice[1], illegal abortions,[2] patient death,[3] and loss of licensure[4].[5]
[edit] References
- ^ "Hotline Defends Referrals", San Diego News Notes, May 1996
- ^ New York Department of Health Case No. BPMC-92-13-A, Medical Board Determination and Order; Great Falls Montana US District Court Cause No. CV 93-060-GF-PGH; Miami Herald May 4, 1988
- ^ Associated Press November 22, 1989; Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 94L05372, St. Louis City Circuit Court Case 812-11077, LA County Coroner Report No. 84-2948, "Abortion Clinic Sued In Death: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 15, 1979, 3A; Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Case No. 86-0682-AK; California Death Certificate No. 85-106566; "Abortion Death Investigation", Associated Press, February 22, 2005; Los Angeles County (CA) Autopsy Report No. 92-04539; New York County Supreme Court Index No. 104592/93; New York Department of Health Case No. BPMC-92-13-A, Medical Board Determination and Order; South Dakota Death Certificate No. 140 85-003853; Harris County District Court Case No. 89-16747; Orange County Coroner's Report # 94-06863-AB; Georgia Autopsy Report No. A1994-13; Los Angeles County (CA) Superior Court Case No. WEC139590; New York County Supreme Court Index No. 112763/93; Atlanta Constitution September 21, 1989; LA County Coroner Case No. 84-16016; Texas Autopsy Report No. 0190-80-0095; New York Post, December 11, 1990; "Girl, 15, dies after being in a coma since abortion last June," Atlanta Constitution, October 25, 1979; Riverside County (CA) Autopsy File No. 64442; Houston Chronicle, November 3, 1991, November 6, 1991, November 11, 1991; "Abortion Doctor Much Despised, Much Praised," Louis Post-Dispatch, April 29, 1997
- ^ New York Department of Health Case No. BPMC-92-13-A, Medical Board Determination and Order
- ^ Crutcher, Mark (1996). Lime 5: Exploited by Choice. Life Dynamics. ISBN 0-9648886-0-2.
