The Susan G. Komen foundation reversed its decision to cut off distributing grants to Planned Parenthood on Friday, amid controversy surrounding their decision to halt funding.
Susan G. Komen pulled funding from 19 Planned Parenthood run clinics that provide preventative breast cancer services.
On Wednesday, Susan G. Komen founder and CEO Nancy Brinker released a YouTube video explaining her foundation’s decision to stop distributing grants to Planned Parenthood. Ms. Brinker stated that the decision was not politically influenced, and was based on a new set of policies implemented a year ago.
Planned Parenthood is currently under investigation by the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, regarding Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funds and compliance with federal abortion laws.
In her video Wednesday, Ms. Brinker explained that the foundation would no longer be distributing grants to organizations that are undergoing national investigations.
However, the decision set off a firestorm of opposition, ranging from major political figures such as New York City Democratic Mayor Michael Bloomberg, to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat.
Mr. Bloomberg made $250,000 donation to Planned Parenthood, and many other wealthy donors contributed to the organization to help make up for the lack of funding that Planned Parenhood would’ve suffered under the decision.
“We 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,” said Ms. Brinker, in a statement released Friday.
The decision to stop giving grants to Planned Parenthood was seen as politically influenced, primarily because of Susan G. Komen’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Karen Handel.
In 2010, Ms. Handel ran for the governor of Georgia as a Republican on a staunchly pro-life platform. Susan G. Komen then announced it would stop distributing grants to Planned Parenthood in the midst of the Republican presidential election, where abortion is a highly discussed topic.
Ms. Handel has not commented on either of the decisions by Susan G. Komen this week.
“Starting this afternoon, we will have calls with our network and key supporters to refocus our attention on our mission and get back to doing our work,” said Ms. Brinker.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, tweeted her support of the decision to reverse course on grants to Planned Parenthood Friday.
“When women speak out, women win–Komen decision to continue funding Planned Parenthood is a victory for women’s health,” said Ms. Pelosi via her Twitter account.
