May 21, 2012
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.
While Tennessee Right to Life said it "regret(ted)" Komen's decision to continue funding Planned Parenthood, it hailed the decision, which it called a "flip-flop," as a public relations coup.
"Komen has accomplished for the Right to Life movement what might have otherwise taken much more time and many more resources. Millions of pro-life Americans... now know to avoid any involvement with Komen until they become consistently committed to protecting all human life," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life.
"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.
