It's been a week since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion and I’m still angry. That’s why we’re spending the next few Feel Good Fridays highlighting abortion rights organizations, starting with the National Abortion Federation.
Established in 1977, the National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers with a mission to “unite, represent, serve, and support abortion providers in delivering patient-centered, evidenced-based care.”
Their support for abortion providers includes medical quality assurance and technical assistance; onsite security assessments, trainings, and 24/7 emergency response;
exclusive CME-accredited online learning modules and other educational resources; assistance finding training opportunities; a members-only job board and patient referrals.
A current focus of NAF is on working with members to navigate how the SCOTUS ruling will impact abortion care in each state, ensuring access to essential abortion care for those who need it, and providing security services to clinics that are likely to see a rise in harassment and violence. This report on 2021 Violence and Disruption Statistics shows there has already been a significant increase in “stalking (600%), blockades (450%), and hoax devices/suspicious packages (163%)”.
On the patient side, NAF operates the largest national, toll-free, multi-lingual hotline for abortion referrals and financial assistance in the U.S. and Canada (1-800-772-9100). Hotline staff can help callers locate an abortion provider, arrange travel out of state if needed, and provide limited financial assistance for the cost of care and travel-related expenses. The website also offers information on pregnancy options and what to expect when terminating a pregnancy.
Finally, NAF helps patients share their abortion stories to increase public awareness around this issue. As they state in a recent press release, “we remain focused on making sure anyone who needs an abortion can access the care they need, no matter what they look like, how much money they have, or where they live. This is just the beginning of a new fight; we will not stop working until we have ensured everyone in this country has the ability to make decisions about their own bodies, their own medical care, and their own lives.”
If you want to join the fight, make a donation to NAF and spread the word on social media. Like the NAF Facebook page and follow them on Twitter @NatAbortionFed and Instagram@nationalabortionfederation.
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