Planned Parenthood funds restored

[Dan and Judy 614]

Komen reverses decision to cut Planned Parenthood fundsBy Cynthia E. Keen, AuntMinnie.com staff writer

February 3, 2012 -- The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation announced today that it will continue to fund existing grants and also consider future grants for Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screening, clinical exams, and educational programs, reversing a controversial policy that came to light just days ago.

The move follows a firestorm of criticism by the public, opposition from several of Komen's state affiliates, resignations and threats of resignation within Komen's leadership, and a national media frenzy over the decision.

Over the past five years, Planned Parenthood health centers have provided nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams and more than 6,400 mammogram referrals with Komen funding. Komen provided program funding of approximately $680,000 to Planned Parenthood in 2011.

Several weeks ago, the foundation had begun notifying Planned Parenthood programs that their breast cancer initiatives would not be eligible for new grants, according to a Planned Parenthood spokesperson. The new policy began receiving widespread attention after news articles were published on January 31.

Although Nancy Brinker, Komen's founder and chief executive, stated in a news conference on February 2 that the organization's decision was based on improved grant-making procedures -- and had nothing to do with abortion or politics -- critics suggested otherwise.

The New York Times reported that John Raffaelli, a Washington, DC, lobbyist and Komen board member, told the newspaper that Komen made the changes to its grant-making process specifically to end its relationship with Planned Parenthood. Raffaelli said that Komen had become increasingly worried that an investigation of Planned Parenthood by Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) would damage the organization's credibility with donors, the Times reported.

Today's announcement from Brinker stated that the organization "will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities."

She further stated that Komen would amend its newly implemented grant-making procedures to exclude only investigations that are criminal and conclusive in nature. "We do not want our mission marred or affected by politics -- anyone's politics."

Dr. Kathy Plesser, a mammographer practicing in New York City, and a member of the medical advisory board of Komen's New York City affiliate, had been quoted in a New York Times article as stating that she would resign if Komen did not reverse its decision.

In a statement, Planned Parenthood officials said they welcome Komen's reversal.

"In recent weeks, the treasured relationship between the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and Planned Parenthood has been challenged, and we are now heartened that we can continue to work in partnership toward our shared commitment to breast health for the most underserved women," said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood. "We are enormously grateful that the Komen foundation has clarified its grant-making criteria, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Komen partners, leaders, and volunteers."

http://www.auntminni...d=98191&wf=4767

Edited February 3, 2012 by Dan and Judy

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

A blow to the American Taliban. Good.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

meh. Komen is useless. They've done plenty for "awareness" but jack ####### for actual research. The fact that they waste over a million dollars paying their attorneys to sue smaller charities is why I don't support their cause.

Who gives a ####### what they choose to donate to otherwise though...

[TheFantastics09 19]

Komen reverses decision to cut Planned Parenthood fundsBy Cynthia E. Keen, AuntMinnie.com staff writer

February 3, 2012 -- The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation announced today that it will continue to fund existing grants and also consider future grants for Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screening, clinical exams, and educational programs, reversing a controversial policy that came to light just days ago.

The move follows a firestorm of criticism by the public, opposition from several of Komen's state affiliates, resignations and threats of resignation within Komen's leadership, and a national media frenzy over the decision.

Over the past five years, Planned Parenthood health centers have provided nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams and more than 6,400 mammogram referrals with Komen funding. Komen provided program funding of approximately $680,000 to Planned Parenthood in 2011.

Several weeks ago, the foundation had begun notifying Planned Parenthood programs that their breast cancer initiatives would not be eligible for new grants, according to a Planned Parenthood spokesperson. The new policy began receiving widespread attention after news articles were published on January 31.

Although Nancy Brinker, Komen's founder and chief executive, stated in a news conference on February 2 that the organization's decision was based on improved grant-making procedures -- and had nothing to do with abortion or politics -- critics suggested otherwise.

The New York Times reported that John Raffaelli, a Washington, DC, lobbyist and Komen board member, told the newspaper that Komen made the changes to its grant-making process specifically to end its relationship with Planned Parenthood. Raffaelli said that Komen had become increasingly worried that an investigation of Planned Parenthood by Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) would damage the organization's credibility with donors, the Times reported.

Today's announcement from Brinker stated that the organization "will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities."

She further stated that Komen would amend its newly implemented grant-making procedures to exclude only investigations that are criminal and conclusive in nature. "We do not want our mission marred or affected by politics -- anyone's politics."

Dr. Kathy Plesser, a mammographer practicing in New York City, and a member of the medical advisory board of Komen's New York City affiliate, had been quoted in a New York Times article as stating that she would resign if Komen did not reverse its decision.

In a statement, Planned Parenthood officials said they welcome Komen's reversal.

"In recent weeks, the treasured relationship between the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and Planned Parenthood has been challenged, and we are now heartened that we can continue to work in partnership toward our shared commitment to breast health for the most underserved women," said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood. "We are enormously grateful that the Komen foundation has clarified its grant-making criteria, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Komen partners, leaders, and volunteers."

http://www.auntminni...d=98191&wf=4767

[luckytxn 2,263]

They want to fund an organization that terminates life then that is up to them. Shame on them.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

They want to fund an organization that terminates life then that is up to them. Shame on them.

If only there weren't those pesky facts.

Total [Planned Parenthood] services: 11,383,900

Contraception (including reversible contraception, emergency contraception, vasectomies and tubal sterilizations): 4,009,549 services = 35%

Sexually transmitted infections testing and treatment: 3,955,916 services = 35%

Cancer screening and prevention: 1,830,811 services = 16%

Other women’s health services (including pregnancy tests and prenatal care): 1,178,369 services = 10%

Abortions: 332,278 procedures = 2.9%

Miscellaneous (including primary care and adoption referrals): 76,977 = 0.7%

By this tally, abortions accounted for just under 3 percent of the procedures Planned Parenthood provided in 2009, which is the most recent year for which the group is reporting statistics.

[luckytxn 2,263]

If only there weren't those pesky facts.

Yes facts are a beotch.

Abortions: 332,278 procedures = 2.9%

[slim 1,514]

Yes facts are a beotch.

Abortions: 332,278 procedures = 2.9%

Just think about how many of those were funded by your tax dollars. Yippee!

[luckytxn 2,263]

Just think about how many of those were funded by your tax dollars. Yippee!

I know. Shameful unto us.

[slim 1,514]

I know. Shameful unto us.

Yet another reason we shouldn't give the government our money.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Just think about how many of those were funded by your tax dollars. Yippee!

Not one.

Yes facts are a beotch.

Abortions: 332,278 procedures = 2.9%

Komen funds paid for breast cancer exams. Facts are a beotch, indeed.

[luckytxn 2,263]

Not one.

Komen funds paid for breast cancer exams. Facts are a beotch, indeed.

At planned parenthood. Freeing up funds they would have used so they can perform 'procedures'. Yes the facts are damning. Over 300,000 ABORTIONS.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

At planned parenthood. Freeing up funds they would have used so they can perform 'procedures'. Yes the facts are damning. Over 300,000 ABORTIONS.

That's a silly argument. The organization receives funds dedicated for certain services which is what these funds are used for. Then it receives funding for other services and then it may receive general funds. There's no case to be made that they would have preformed fewer abortions if they had not received funds from Komen to perform breast cancer screenings. Besides, you don't know the circumstances of a single one of these abortions. You don't know how many were medically necessary, how many were the fruit of rape or incest. You don't know any of that. What we do know is that they provided over 11,000,000 essential women's health services. Why is everyone over on the right hating on women? You all gay?

Edited February 4, 2012 by Mr. Big Dog

[luckytxn 2,263]

That's a silly argument. The organization receives funds dedicated for certain services which is what these funds are used for. Then it receives funding for other services and then it may receive general funds. There's no case to be made that they would have preformed fewer abortions if they had not received funds from Komen to perform breast cancer screenings. They provided over 11,000,000 women's health services. Why is everyone over on the right hating on women? You all gay?

They perform Abortions. Funds are freed up to use for other 'things'. There are excellent organizations that don't perform Abortions that need money and could do it. Komen by giving to Planned Parenthood is endorsing them. That is fine but don't expect right to life to accept it and give to them.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

They perform Abortions. Funds are freed up to use for other 'things'. There are excellent organizations that don't perform Abortions that need money and could do it. Komen by giving to Planned Parenthood is endorsing them. That is fine but don't expect right to life to accept it and give to them.

That's an utterly ridiculous argument. You don't have to give to Komen because they pay a medical provider you don't like to save women's lives. What's at issue is for Komen to stand there claiming to fight against breast cancer and then not support the fight against breast cancer under the disguise that an organization that provides millions of women each year with breast cancer screening and prevention services also provides other services. That is just mind boggling.