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.
KOMEN
GREATER NASHVILLE STATEMENT ON SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE HEADQUARTER POLICY
"Over
the past five years, the Greater Nashville Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the
Cure has granted more than $2.2 million to organizations that provide breast
cancer screenings, education and treatment to women in our 11-county service
area.
This week, Susan G. Komen for
the Cure National Headquarters announced new guidelines that would prohibit grant
funding to organizations that are under local, state or federal investigation.
Today they amended those guidelines to clearly state that disqualifying investigations must be
criminal and conclusive in nature and not political. All current grantees will
continue to be funded throughout their grant cycle. Komen Greater Nashville has never funded
Planned Parenthood and has not knowingly funded any organization under
investigation. These
guidelines do not affect any current funding from Komen Greater Nashville. We
will continue to fund all of our current programs that provide vital breast
cancer services to our community."
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
