Komen Controversy

Unless you have been living under a rock this week, you know that quite the controversy has been brewing with the Susan G Komen Foundation.  They have decided to cut all funding to Planned Parenthood as a result of a new policy of theirs that states they do not fund any organizations who are currently under investigation by Congress (yet, no one has seen this new policy and they are still funding a research grant of over $7.5 million to Penn State who is under investigate for Jerry Sandusky sexual assault scandal).

But now Komen is changing their story.  Nancy Brinker, Komen founder, said that the decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood was unrelated to the investigation, but in an effort to support groups that directly provide breast services, such as mammograms. Many believe that this decision was made as a result from pressure from anti-abortion groups.  Brinker and Komen reject this claim.

To make things a little more interesting, three top Komen officials have resigned or are threatening to resign as a result of Komen's decision to end future funding for breast cancer screenings and breast health education at Planned Parenthood.  Komen's top public health official, Mollie Williams, and Deb Anthony, the Executive Director of Komen's Los Angeles County Chapter has both resigned in protest.  Dr. Kathy Plesser, a Manhattan radiologist on the medical advisory board of Komen's New York Chapter said she plans to resign if Komen doesn't reverse their decision.

Planned Parenthood says "At immediate risk are low-income women, many located in rural and underserved communities, served by 19 Planned Parenthood programs funded by the Komen Foundation.  This funding has enabled designated Planned Parenthood health centers to provide women with breast health education, screenings, and referrals for mammograms - lifesaving care for women where Planned Parenthood is their only source of health care."

Here is a quick video to get you up to speed on the latest.

Here is Komen's side of the story -

However, it looks like both organizations are potentially profiting from the split.  Some are outraged by Komen's decision and are rallying around Planned Parenthood to fill the gap that will be left behind when Komen pulls their funding.  Mike Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, has offered to match $250,000 in donations to Planned Parenthood's Breast Health Fund.  I expect this campaign to come close to fulfilling the amount left vacant from Komen ($680,000 in 2011) for one year, but I do not see them able to keep this up year over year without Komen's support.

Equally interesting, Komen says after this story broke, their donations have gone up 100% in the last two days.

So what do you think?  Was this a political move ... or a smart move by Komen?