Abortion Federation, National (NAF)

NAF is the professional association of abortion providers in the United States and Canada.  Our members make reproductive choice a reality.  Our mission is to ensure safe, legal and accessible abortion care to promote health and justice for women.

How do you help people in my community?

Many women who call NAF’s national, toll-free abortion hotline feel hopeless about finding accurate information about pregnancy options and resources for obtaining an abortion.  We provide individual case management support for low-income women, victims of rape and incest, and women with other special needs.  We intercede to resolve cases when Medicaid reimbursement is improperly denied for abortions in cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment.  We assist women who need help in navigating barriers to abortion access in their state.  We provide support for women and counsel them on how to access resources regardless of the decisions they make about their pregnancies.

Following are stories of some of the women that we have helped.  Names have been changed and identifying information withheld.

“Melissa" had a severe heart condition that made it life-threatening for her to carry her pregnancy to term.  Her doctor put her on bed rest with only one hour of mobility each day.  Because Melissa was not yet eligible for Medicaid, her doctor went before his hospital board to request that they cover the cost of the abortion.  The board rejected the request on the grounds that she was not in "imminent danger,” a situation they defined as “requiring resuscitation.”  After hearing her story, our NAF case manager worked quickly to secure funding for her to have an abortion.  Later, Melissa called the Hotline to express her thanks and to inquire about how she could start a local fund to help women in similar situations.

“Amy” and her husband had just moved to the south, and hadn’t even unpacked their moving van when Hurricane Katrina hit.  They were evacuated after they lost everything and moved onto a military base.  Amy’s military physician said that she must have an abortion due to a number of major health problems.  Her military insurance, however, would not cover the procedure.  NAF hotline staff found a clinic that was able to see Amy and was medically staffed to meet her special health care needs.  NAF then raised funds to help her with the cost of the procedure. 

“Barbara” had HIV and her kidneys were failing as a result of her compromised immune system.  She begged Medicaid to cover her abortion, but was denied coverage despite her severe health problems.  She had nobody to ask for assistance except for her father, who had given her all that he could.  Just when she was trying to figure out how to self-abort, Barbara's contact at her local NAF member clinic gave her the number for the NAF Hotline.  Our case manager spoke to Barbara and reassured her that we could raise the funds she needed.  With the help of a local fund in Barbara's city, NAF’s Hotline Assistance Fund, and a discount from the clinic, she had her abortion the next day.

Why do you need my support?

We need the support of individuals who care about preserving women’s reproductive freedom. NAF serves the providers who make choice a reality, including physicians, nurses, counselors, administrators, and other health care professionals who work daily in a hostile, personally threatening environment. They need and deserve our support.

While we receive grants from foundations that support reproductive choice, other funders have told us that they are not able to support NAF because we are working so openly and specifically on abortion.  Virtually all corporations avoid the marketing risks associated with supporting abortion-related programs, and we receive no government funding.

Gifts to NAF help support our toll-free hotline and assistance fund, and our 24 hour emergency support to clinics and providers targeted for anti-choice violence.  Your support will also help ensure that the voices of patients and abortion providers are heard in the public debate on abortion in Congress, state legislatures, and the media.  

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

Nearly 93% of our budget in 2005 went toward program expenses, as verified by an independent financial audit.  Our administrative and fund raising costs were only 7%.  NAF is governed by an active, volunteer Board of Directors.  We continually evaluate our progress and refine our programs and services to meet current needs effectively and efficiently.

Can I Volunteer? How?

NAF’s website, www.prochoice.org, contains information about important pro-choice volunteer needs, including the following:

Share Your Story:  Your voice can have an impact on public perceptions about abortion and on policy issues affecting abortion access.  First-person stories have immense power in the fight to keep abortion safe, legal, and accessible for women. If you have had an abortion, you can participate in NAF’s Patient Partnership, which exists to ensure that the voices of women are heard in public policy debates.

Join our Action E-List:  You will receive e-mail alerts from NAF when it is critical for you to speak out about abortion-related legislation.  Our online Legislative Action Center will give you contact information and electronic links to your federal, state, and local representatives and officials, as well as links to the media.

Speak Out:   Pro-choice legislators tell us they regularly hear from the anti-choice minority, but very seldom hear from their pro-choice constituents. Contact your state and national representatives and tell them that you support the right of women to choose abortion and how important it is that abortion remain accessible.  Our website has Fact Sheets and other resources that give advocates accurate information about many abortion issues, including a daily news blog.

Share our Resources:  Help counter the intense anti-choice pressure faced by pregnant women.  Our Website has information for pregnant women, including links to our national, toll-free hotline. If you or your local women’s advocacy group would like to promote awareness of our hotline and website in your community, you may order informational materials through our website.