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WZZM 13 ONLINE
NEW YORK (AP) -- After three days of controversy, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity says it is reversing its decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood.
"We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives," a Komen statement said.
As first reported by The Associated Press on Tuesday, Komen had adopted criteria excluding Planned Parenthood from grants because it was under government investigation, notably a probe launched in Congress at the urging of anti-abortion groups.
Komen said Friday it would change the criteria so it wouldn't apply to such investigations. "We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants," the statement said.
WZZM 13 News talked to local officials about Komen's decision. Bridget White is with Planned Parenthood of Western Michigan, "They are assuring that all women, particularly the most vulnerable will have access to healthcare, to breast health, to prevent cancer regardless of any sort of political influence," says White.
But Pamela Sherstad from Right of Life of West Michigan is critical of Komen's decision. She says right to life supporters who celebrated the change in funding, will likely not support Susan G. Komen now. She also says the money could be used more effectively elsewhere. "Planned Parenthood does not provide mammograms. So providing that funding to other organizations that do provide the breast screenings would help more women. That grant money would be better used going to those facilities."
According to ABC News Planned Parenthood does provide 170,000 clinical breast exams with the money from Komen along with 6,400 mammogram referrals. Locally Planned Parenthood does not receive any Komen money but does refer women for mammograms.
Read Susan G. Komen full statement
Thursday on WZZM 13 News, we talked with a West Michigan representative for Komen for the Cure about the organization's original decision. Click on the video link to watch that interview.