Komen reverses decision

Excerpt from "Susan G. Komen reverses Planned Parenthood decision: Too little, too late?," Washington Post, by Sarah Kliff and Lena H. Sun. February 3, 2012--The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation announced Friday that it would revise a new policy that barred the organization from funding Planned Parenthood, a move that had thrust the breast cancer foundation into a national controversy. Komen apologized “to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women’s lives.” The foundation said that Planned Parenthood would now be eligible to apply for grants. It did not, however, address other reasons Komen has cited for why it might choose not to approve such grants. “Our original desire was to fulfill our fiduciary duty to our donors by not funding grant applications made by organizations under investigation,” a Friday statement said. “We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political. That is what is right and fair.”

Executives of the Susan G. Komen Foundation gave a new explanation Thursday of their decision to cut funding to Planned Parenthood, but their contradictory statements failed to quell a rising controversy that led several of the organization’s affiliates to openly rebel. Komen had said the decision was the result of newly adopted criteria barring grants to organizations under investigation — affecting Planned Parenthood because of an inquiry by a Republican congressman. On Thursday, Komen President Elizabeth Thompson told reporters that the funding decision was unrelated to the investigation into whether Planned Parenthood was illegally using federal funds to pay for abortions. Komen founder Nancy Brinker said the organization wants to support groups that directly provide breast health services, such as mammograms. She noted that Planned Parenthood was providing only mammogram referrals.

On Friday morning, the Susan B. Komen Foundation backed down from its decision to pull grants from Planned Parenthood. While the foundation gave itself room to reject future grant applications from Planned Parenthood, the decision is a clear sign that outrage from pro-choice supporters left Komen spooked.

CMDA Senior Vice President Gene Rudd, MD: "I remember reading details of some of the Civil War battles. Each side would take ground and then attempt to defend its turf. Sometimes the ground was strategic; other times it was defended to deny the enemy any success. The skirmishes were fierce and deadly.

"Similarly, the brouhaha surrounding the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s announcement to provide no further funding for Planned Parenthood is one of those skirmishes fought over ground that is not strategic, but is being defended anyway. While an amount of more than a half-million dollars is sizable for you and me, it is a drop in the bucket to the abortion giant. This issue is not about money; it is about defending turf in a cultural war.
"Planned Parenthood claims that Susan G. Komen yielded to conservative pressure. The reaction was fierce. Concern over breast cancer is a pawn in the debate. While Planned Parenthood plays this sympathy card, the real issue is protection of the abortion industry. It is questionable how much benefit Planned Parenthood brings to breast cancer prevention. Other organizations provide more worthwhile breast cancer screening. While Komen should have the right to decide to how to distribute its funds where the best results may be found, Planned Parenthood disagrees. Honoring the rights and choices of others is not the turf they defend.

"As I write this, it appears that Komen has back-pedaled on its decision. Sadly, Planned Parenthood may be able to hold this ground."

Scientific Statement of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations on The Association of Abortion and Breast Cancer
Abortion: Choice v. Life - David Stevens, MD, MA (PPT) (Member Resource)

Look for the April 2011 CDD which will include an interview with Valerie Huber, Executive Director of the National Abstinence Education Association