Komen drops plans to cut Planned Parenthood grants

Staff/wire reports

NEW YORK

For leaders of the nation’s pre-eminent breast-cancer charity, it was a firestorm they didn’t see coming — and couldn’t withstand.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Friday abandoned plans to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood. The dramatic retreat followed a three-day furor that resounded across the Internet, in Congress and — perhaps most tellingly — among Komen affiliates who openly rebelled, suggesting the leadership had bowed to anti-abortion pressure.

“We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women’s lives,” a Komen statement said.

As first reported by The Associated Press on Tuesday, Komen had adopted criteria excluding Planned Parenthood from future grants for breast-cancer screenings because it was under government investigation, citing a probe launched by a Florida congressman at the urging of anti-abortion groups.

“We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political,” Komen said Friday. “That is what is right and fair.”

As a result, Komen said, “we will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants.”

Planned Parenthood officials in Youngstown are thankful for the turnaround.

“When we learned about the decision to cut funds to Planned Parenthood for breast examinations, we were shocked,” said Celeste Glasgow Ribbins, vice president of community initiatives for Planned Parenthood’s Youngstown Health Center.

Planned Parenthood has a long-standing relationship with the Susan B. Komen for the Cure Foundation and a strong partnership over the years. Both organizations are focused on women’s health and want to ensure women receive the health- care screenings that they need, she said.

“We’re grateful that the Komen Foundation has clarified its grant-making criteria and look forward to continuing a relationship with Komen,” Glasgow Ribbins said.

She said the outpouring of financial support Planned Parenthood received the past few days indicates how deeply the American public feels about the fight against cancer.

“It was heartwarming and overwhelming to receive the support when we asked for money to close the gap,” she said.

She said Planned Parenthood nationally provides 750,000 clinical breast examinations a year. If something abnormal is detected, patients are referred for mammogram or other procedures, and Planned Parenthood follows their case to make sure they get the medical attention they need and deserve.