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In December 1996, the National Abortion Federation (NAF), with funding from the Kaiser Family
Foundation, convened a national symposium to explore how CNMs, NPs, and PAs could participate more fully in abortion
service delivery nationwide. The symposium's key findings and recommendations included:
- appropriately trained CNMs, NPs, and PAs possess the skills and expertise to provide this safe and routine
elective procedure;
- a very carefully planned state-by-state effort would be needed to overcome legal restrictions limiting the
participation of CNMs, NPs, and PAs in abortion service delivery in some states; and
- education and understanding of all aspects of abortion care, including counseling, pre- and post-abortion care,
and abortion techniques must be expanded.4
The largest, most influential and well-respected medical and health policy organizations in the United States
have issued statements in support of the inclusion of CNMs, NPs, and PAs in abortion care. In 1994, the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated, "that to address the shortage of health care providers who provide abortions, the
College encourages programs to train physicians and other licensed health care professionals to provide abortion services
in collaborative settings."5 Additionally, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American Medical
Women's Association, the American Public Health Association, the Association of Physician Assistants in Obstetrics and Gynecology,
the International Confederation of Midwives, the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, and Physicians
for Reproductive Choice and Health support the participation of these three professional groups in abortion care provision.* In order to address the lack of access to abortion care and to protect the health and well-being of women of reproductive
age, it is essential to increase the number of abortion providers.
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