The Associated Press reports: "Susan G. Komen for the Cure reversed its decision to end grants to Planned Parenthood. In a statement on the foundation's website, the breast cancer charity apologized 'for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives.'"
Nancy Brinker, Founder, Susan G. Komen for the Cure. (photo: Karen Bleier/AFP)
03 February 12
usan G. Komen for the Cure reversed its decision to end grants to Planned Parenthood.
In a statement on the foundation's website, the breast cancer charity apologized "for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives."
"We have been distressed at the presumption that the changes made to our funding criteria were done for political reasons or to specifically penalize Planned Parenthood. They were not."
In ending funding to Planned Parenthood, Komen incurred heated criticism from some members of Congress, numerous liberal advocacy groups and some newspaper editorial writers. But it was applauded by many conservative religious and anti-abortion groups that abhor Planned Parenthood for its role as the leading U.S. abortion provider.
Planned Parenthood said the funding cutoff was a result of Komen succumbing to pressure from anti-abortion activists. Komen, in a statement issued Wednesday evening, denied that politics played a role and reiterated that its decision was based on newly adopted criteria for issuing grants.
The criteria - now being amended - barred grants to any organization that's under local, state or federal investigation. Planned Parenthood is being investigated for alleged financial improprieties by a Republican congressman acting with the encouragement of anti-abortion groups.
In its statement Friday, the foundation said it was not funding grant applications made by organizations under investigation and will now amend that criteria so that disqualifying investigations" must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political."
