NATIONAL — Following the release of a letter from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Martin Makary in which they confirmed that the FDA is conducting a “review” of mifepristone based on a junk science report from an anti-abortion think tank, Brittany Fonteno, President & CEO of the National Abortion Federation, released the following statement:

“RFK’s attacks on science and his ongoing spread of disinformation around safe medications are reckless, alarming, and completely out of step with reality. The facts are clear: mifepristone is a safe, research-backed method to end a pregnancy, used by millions with proven efficacy. 

We know anti-abortion extremists will stop at nothing to ban or restrict access to abortion. They are willing to jeopardize patient health and autonomy to advance a political agenda and sow fear among people who need care. 

Patients deserve leaders who respect science and put people’s health above anti-abortion ideology. Every delay and restriction has real consequences for people seeking reproductive care.”

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The National Abortion Federation is the nation’s largest and leading professional association of abortion providers. NAF represents hundreds of providers and clinics across the country that are on the frontlines of helping people access abortion care. They provide members with trainings, security support, and guidelines for the gold standard of abortion care. NAF also operates the National Abortion Hotline, the largest national, multi-lingual abortion hotline in the U.S, which helps anyone in any state understand their care options, including finding a provider, arranging travel to another state, or funding their care. Twitter. Facebook. Instagram.

National Abortion Hotline: 1-800-772-9100.

The post National Abortion Federation Statement on FDA Review of Mifepristone appeared first on National Abortion Federation.

NATIONAL —Yesterday afternoon, the First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Planned Parenthood, allowing the federal government to block patients from using Medicaid to pay for services at Planned Parenthood health centers. Brittany Fonteno, President & CEO of the National Abortion Federation, released the following statement:

“Anti-abortion extremists remain relentless in their attacks on reproductive health care. This decision isn’t just about one provider — it threatens the entire reproductive health care system, and patients seeking essential care will pay the price.

When Planned Parenthood health centers are forced to close, pressure mounts on other clinics already stretched thin to provide sexual and reproductive health services. This cruel decision will disproportionately impact people of color and people living in rural communities and health care deserts, who will be left with even fewer options and longer wait times to get the care they need. Any additional barriers to care are both unacceptable and dangerous.

Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable reproductive health care, no matter where they live or how much money they make. These senseless and politically motivated attacks deny people the fundamental right of getting the care they need and deserve.”

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The National Abortion Federation is the nation’s largest and leading professional association of abortion providers. NAF represents hundreds of providers and clinics across the country that are on the frontlines of helping people access abortion care. They provide members with trainings, security support, and guidelines for the gold standard of abortion care. NAF also operates the National Abortion Hotline, the largest national, multi-lingual abortion hotline in the U.S, which helps anyone in any state understand their care options, including finding a provider, arranging travel to another state, or funding their care. Twitter. Facebook. Instagram. National Abortion Hotline: 1-800-772-9100.

The post National Abortion Federation Statement on Court Ruling to “Defund” Planned Parenthood appeared first on National Abortion Federation.

Statement from Brittany Fonteno, President & CEO of the National Abortion Federation, on Trump administration’s plans to strip abortion access from veterans:

Once again, we’re seeing just how far anti-abortion politicians are willing to go to control our bodies and strip us of basic health care. The reported plan to deny veterans access to abortion care through the VA isn’t about policy—it’s about cruelty and a deliberate disregard for people who’ve risked their lives in service to others. And it sends a message that their sacrifices don’t even entitle them to basic health care.

Veterans deserve our respect, not politically motivated health care bans. Forcing those who have served our country to carry pregnancies against their will is callous and dangerous.

Let’s be clear: abortion is essential, time-sensitive medical care. Denying it to veterans—and threatening to overturn existing protections—is part of a broader, calculated agenda to ban abortion nationwide. We cannot let that happen. We will keep fighting for a future where everyone, including those who have served, can access the care they need.

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NAF remains committed to helping as many people as possible access high-quality and affordable abortion care. Anyone in any state can call the National Abortion Hotline at 1-800-772-9100 to understand their options and get the assistance they need, whether that’s help finding a provider, arranging travel to another state, or funding for their care.

The post Trump Administration Plans to Strip Abortion Access from Veterans appeared first on National Abortion Federation.

Statement from NAF President & CEO Brittany Fonteno on how the passing of the reconciliation bill will impact reproductive health access:

What is abundantly clear to abortion providers and advocates is that the Trump administration and its allies have used the reconciliation bill as yet another tactic for achieving their political agenda, rather than addressing the real needs of our communities. By voting to prevent reproductive health care providers like Planned Parenthood and Maine Family Planning from receiving Medicaid reimbursement, lawmakers have chosen to jeopardize the health and lives of low-income patients, people of color, and those in rural areas who rely on these providers for essential care like cancer screenings, STI testing, and contraception. The bill will take away important health care and food assistance from millions through its cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, all while handing tax breaks to the wealthiest and vastly increasing the national debt. It is both cruel and wildly irresponsible.

But know this: we will not back down. NAF will continue to fight on behalf of abortion providers and their patients’ right to care that is accessible and equitable, no matter what political attacks come our way.”

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NAF remains committed to helping as many people as possible access high-quality and affordable abortion care. Anyone in any state can call the National Abortion Hotline at 1-800-772-9100 to understand their options and get the assistance they need, whether that’s help finding a provider, arranging travel to another state, or funding for their care.

The post House Passes Cruel Reconciliation Bill appeared first on National Abortion Federation.

Statement from Brittany Fonteno, President & CEO of the National Abortion Federation, on Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision to strike down 1849 law:

I am heartened by the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision affirming that abortion is legal in the state and rejecting the use of an archaic 19th-century statute to strip people of their fundamental rights. This ruling is a critical victory for reproductive freedom and a direct rebuke to those who have sought to manipulate outdated laws in their relentless campaign to ban abortion and control our bodies.

This moment belongs to the tireless advocates, providers, and organizers across Wisconsin, who never stopped fighting to restore access to care and ensure that all people, regardless of income or zip code, can make their own decisions about pregnancy and parenting.

We know this win is not the end of the fight and there are still unnecessary abortion restrictions in Wisconsin. Anti-abortion individuals and groups will continue to look for ways to chip away at our rights, whether in courtrooms, legislatures, or through intimidation–and we will not back down. But today, we celebrate a powerful affirmation of our autonomy and recommit to building a future where abortion is not only legal, but truly accessible to all who need it.

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NAF remains committed to helping as many people as possible access high-quality and affordable abortion care. Anyone in any state can call the National Abortion Hotline at 1-800-772-9100 to understand their options and get the assistance they need, whether that’s help finding a provider, arranging travel to another state, or funding for their care.

The post Wisconsin’s Pre-Civil War Ban Invalidated appeared first on National Abortion Federation.

Statement from NAF President & CEO Brittany Fonteno on Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic:

Low-income and uninsured people in South Carolina already face disproportionate barriers to accessing health care as a result of abortion bans and systemic racism. These are the people who will most acutely feel the impact of today’s Supreme Court decision, in which the Court ruled that Medicaid beneficiaries do not have a legal right to challenge the exclusion of Planned Parenthood from the state’s Medicaid program. The exclusion will put our member clinics from Planned Parenthood South Atlantic in an impossible position when patients who need—and deserve access to—critical care cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket. 

This is yet another cruel backdoor tactic to ban abortion. These kinds of restrictions only further complicate an already confusing and hostile abortion access landscape, create even wider access gaps for communities, and compromise the integrity of provider-patient relationships.

We won’t back down. NAF will continue to serve as a support system for our members, and we will do everything within our power to ensure our providers in South Carolina have the resources they need to provide quality, evidence-based abortion care to their communities.

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NAF remains committed to helping as many people as possible access high-quality and affordable abortion care. Anyone in any state can call the National Abortion Hotline at 1-800-772-9100 to understand their options and get the assistance they need, whether that’s help finding a provider, arranging travel to another state, or funding for their care.

The post Supreme Court Rejects Planned Parenthood’s Challenge to South Carolina Restriction appeared first on National Abortion Federation.

This morning, the Supreme Court delivered an opinion in U.S. v. Skrmetti—a landmark case about whether families with transgender kids can access essential gender-affirming health care, or if politicians can overrule families’ decisions about medical care for their loved ones. In a 6-3 split, the Court upheld a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for young people, a decision that could have sweeping implications for family privacy as well as discrimination in health care more broadly.

Brittany Fonteno, Chief Executive Officer at the National Abortion Federation (NAF), issued the following statement in response:

“Today, the Supreme Court yet again failed to protect people’s privacy, bodily autonomy, and freedom by allowing politicians to target transgender youth’s health care. Very often, the same clinics offering abortion care are the ones providing gender-affirming care, including many NAF member clinics. Just like abortion bans, these politically-driven bans on essential health care are a threat to people’s well-being and are not informed by medical expertise. NAF stands in solidarity with the transgender community and allies in the fight for access to health care and bodily autonomy.

“Ideologically, this Supreme Court is nearly identical to the one that overturned Roe v. Wade nearly three years ago with the Dobbs decision, making way for harmful state abortion bans to take effect across the country. NAF is committed to providing our members with the resources and training to serve diverse populations of people across the country with high-quality care.”

NAF remains committed to helping as many people as possible access high-quality and affordable abortion care. Anyone in any state can call the National Abortion Hotline at 1-800-772-9100 to understand their options and get the assistance they need, whether that’s help finding a provider, arranging travel to another state, or funding for their care.

The post Supreme Court Upholds State Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Young People appeared first on National Abortion Federation.

Statement from NAF Chief Program Officer Melissa Fowler:

“We are beyond devastated by the murders of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and the violent attacks on Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. It is clear that these were politically motivated attacks—police found the suspect’s list of over 70 targets, which include a number of abortion providers and pro-abortion advocates. This is a horrific tragedy. No public servant, medical professional, or any individual should have to live in fear of violence.”

“NAF has been tracking incidents of violence and disruption against abortion providers for 45 years, and this targeting of providers is unfortunately not new. The harassment and violence targeting physicians, nurses, clinic staff, and the people they care for is yet another form of hate and fear-mongering inflicted by white supremacists and far-right extremists.

“Despite these attacks, just this past week, anti-abortion lawmakers in the House Judiciary Committee voted to advance a repeal of the FACE Act—a critical piece of legislation that has been effective at keeping abortion providers and their patients safer since 1994, after abortion provider Dr. David Gunn was fatally shot in Florida in 1993. This legislative action follows the Trump administration’s announcement in January that it would no longer be enforcing the FACE Act and going so far as to pardon individuals who were convicted of FACE Act violations. Since then, NAF has already heard from providers who are seeing an increase in harassment and violence at their clinics, as extremists start to test what they can get away with.

“NAF is working with our members in Minnesota to provide additional security support while the suspect is still at large. NAF will do everything within our power to ensure abortion providers have the resources, trainings, and security support so that they can continue to provide quality, evidence-based abortion care to their communities.”

The post Minnesota Shooting Suspect had Target List of Abortion Providers appeared first on National Abortion Federation.

NAF COO Veronica Jones Named a Winner of Chief’s The New Era of Leadership Awards 

Now in their second year, The New Era of Leadership Awards recognize and celebrate executive women shaping the future of business 

June 11, 2025—Today, Chief, the most powerful network of senior executive women, revealed the winners of its second-annual The New Era of Leadership Awards, recognizing NAF’s Chief Operating Officer Veronica Jones as one of 100 exceptional executive women who are redefining what it means to lead.

“It’s an honor to be named among so many women who are breaking barriers and shaping the future,” said Veronica Jones. “I’m incredibly fortunate to collaborate with the dedicated team at the National Abortion Hotline. Every day, they champion abortion access for anyone who needs it, regardless of location or income.”

Veronica was selected by an esteemed panel of judges, including executives from Morgan Stanley, Squarespace, The Walt Disney Company, National Geographic, Axios, Tripadvisor, Etsy, and more. The judges evaluated each nomination based on the following qualities:

• Innovation: Demonstrating disruptive thinking to drive impact
• Empathy: Approaching leadership with a focus on inclusion
• Creativity: Reimagining traditional practices with original solutions
• Purpose: Influencing their industries, teams, or communities positively
• Resilience: Navigating adversity or uncertainty successfully

“The New Era of Leadership honors the trailblazing women who are redefining what it means to lead—driving transformation, breaking barriers, and shaping the future of business,” said Alison Moore, CEO of Chief. “We are thrilled to recognize another 100 exceptional executives and 25 standout honorees in the second year of these awards—a reflection of the powerful impact women are making across industries every day.”

To read more about the significant accomplishments that contributed to Veronica’s recognition, visit Veronica Jones – The New Era of Leadership.

About The National Abortion Hotline

The National Abortion Hotline is the largest national, toll-free, multi-lingual Hotline for abortion provider information and financial assistance in the U.S. and Canada. We provide callers with accurate information, confidential consultation, and information on providers of quality abortion care. We also provide case management services and limited financial assistance to help you afford the cost of your care and travel-related expenses. Anyone in any state can call the National Abortion Hotline at 1-800-772-9100 to understand their options and get the assistance they need, whether that’s help finding a provider, arranging travel to another state, or funding for their care.

About Chief

Chief is the most powerful network of senior executive women. Our members represent senior leaders from more than 10,000 organizations across every sector. In our vibrant community, they find the connection, insights, and support they need to maximize their impact. Learn more at chief.com.

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The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act is a federal law enacted in 1994 in response to escalating violence targeting abortion providers, including large-scale blockades and the murder of NAF member Dr. David Gunn in 1993. The legislation imposes federal penalties for using force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to block the provision of, or access to, abortion care. After the FACE Act was signed into law, anti-abortion violence dropped by 30%, and there was an increase in convictions against anti-abortion extremists.

Today, the House Judiciary Committee marked up anti-abortion lawmaker Chip Roy’s FACE Act Repeal Act of 2025 and voted to advance the bill.

Julie Gonen, Chief Legal Officer at the National Abortion Federation (NAF), issued the following statement in response:

NAF has been tracking anti-abortion violence since 1977, and we know this for certain: when the FACE Act is being enforced, it is an effective and important tool to keep abortion providers and their patients safe. It is unconscionable to see anti-abortion legislators trying to repeal a law that has been keeping people safe for decades.

In January, the Trump administration announced it would no longer be enforcing the FACE Act and went so far as to pardon individuals who were convicted of FACE Act violations. Since then, NAF has already heard from providers that they are seeing an increase in violence at their clinics, as extremists start to test what they can get away with. 

NAF provides a number of critical security resources to our members, including advocating on their behalf, conducting on-site security assessments and trainings, running security drills, and helping others understand the persistent and terrifying violence and harassment that abortion providers and their patients confront. Abortion is essential health care, which every individual should be able to access without harassment or intimidation by outsiders.

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NAF remains committed to helping as many people as possible access high-quality and affordable abortion care. Anyone in any state can call the National Abortion Hotline at 1-800-772-9100 to understand their options and get the assistance they need, whether that’s help finding a provider, arranging travel to another state, or funding for their care.

The post House Advances Bill to Repeal FACE Act appeared first on National Abortion Federation.