Komen abandons plan to cut off Planned Parenthood

  • By DAVID CRARY

  • Posted: Saturday, February 4, 2012 7:00 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A


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."


Many of Komen's own affiliates nationwide had objected to cutting off the grants, which totaled $680,000 in 2011. An Aspen, Colo., affiliate announced Thursday that it would defy the new rules and continue grants to its local Planned Parenthood partner.


In addition, Komen was inundated with negative comments via emails, on Twitter and on its Facebook page. Many of the messages conveyed a determination to halt gifts to Komen because of the decision.


Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood was reporting an outpouring of donations, large and small, that totaled $3 million between Tuesday evening and Friday afternoon. Planned Parenthood said the funds would be used to expand its breast health services.


Planned Parenthood's president, Cecile Richards, said she was astonished by the flow of donations and the often emotional support expressed for her organization.


"This was simply a story, when it broke, it just caught fire," she said. "This kind of political bullying -- folks are just saying, 'Enough.'"

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