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Planned Parenthood: Komen funding cutoff 'deeply disturbing'

Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 13 years, 5 months AGO
| January 31, 2012 1:28 PM

The Washington-based Planned Parenthood affiliate serving North Idaho issued a response to today's reports that Susan G. Komen for the Cure will no longer fund breast cancer prevention, screenings and education at Planned Parenthood health centers.

According to the Associated Press, Planned Parenthood says the cutoff, affecting grants for breast exams, results from Komen bowing to pressure from anti-abortion groups. Komen says the key reason is that Planned Parenthood is under investigation in Congress - a probe launched by a conservative Republican who was urged to act by anti-abortion activists.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho claims to serve 36,000 women in its coverage area.

"Women are deeply alarmed that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation appears to have succumbed to political pressure from a vocal minority", said Karl Eastlund, president and CEO of PPGWNI. "For years, opponents of women's health have waged an aggressive pressure campaign aimed at the Susan G. Komen Foundation at the expense of women's health and lives."

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation has funded nearly $80,000 in breast health programs at PPGWNI since 2008.

"While this is deeply disturbing and disappointing, we want to assure women who rely on Planned Parenthood for breast care that we're still here for them, and we always will be. The new fund we're launching to support these services will ensure that the Komen Foundation's decision doesn't jeopardize women's health," said Eastlund.

Planned Parenthood announced it has launched a breast health emergency fund to offset the loss of the Komen funds.

"Last year 300 eastern Washington women accessed these funds for follow up care. Planned Parenthood will never let politics trump the heath and care of these mothers, daughters and wives," Eastlund said.

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