A famous breast cancer research charity, the Susan G. Komen foundation, has decided to pull its funding of free breast cancer screenings for underprivileged women at 19 of Planned Parenthood’s 83 affiliates. The Susan G. Komen board has apparently caved to the pressure of right-wing, anti-abortion politicians, citing a new policy barring funding for any groups under investigation. Planned Parenthood is currently under investigation by Congress.
This ‘investigation’ was instigated last fall by Republican Rep. Cliff Stearns of Florida, considered by many to be one of the most militant anti-choice members of Congress, after Congress failed to pass bill after bill to defund reproductive health services to women.
It’s considered a sham because the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General along with state Medicaid programs already audit Planned Parenthood. These audits have not revealed any pattern of behavior that would warrant Congressional investigation.
If the Susan G. Komen foundation’s board does not reconsider this decision, hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants that were used by Planned Parenthood to provide breast cancer screenings and other related services will be lost.