Breast Cancer Screening Funds in Question

Two of the largest names in women’s health are at odds over funding the fight against breast cancer.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation plans to stop offering grants to Planned Parenthood. 

Judy Tabar, of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, said their last grant from Komen will run out in June.

"Anti-women's health groups have put pressure on Komen for years, and it appears that they've succumbed to that pressure," Tabar said.

In a written statement, Komen insists the change comes from stricter eligibility guidelines.

“Komen has also implemented more stringent eligibility standards to safeguard donor dollars.  Consequently, some organizations are no longer eligible to receive Komen grants,” the statement says.

Among those standards, Komen won’t fund groups that are under investigation.

Planned Parenthood is currently in the midst of an investigation by a Congressional committee controlled by Republicans and critics say it’s all pure politics revolving around abortion.

Komen recently hired Karen Handel as its new vice president. 

She’s a former Republican gubernatorial candidate from Georgia who strongly opposed abortion and vowed to de-fund Planned Parenthood during her campaign.

Politics aside, Tabar argues that the women who can afford it least stand to lose the most.

According to Tabar, last year Planned Parenthood of Southern New England provided close to 15,000 clinical breast exams, and over the last six years have referred and paid for 1,000 mammograms for low-income and uninsured women.

"Without Komen funding to pay for their mammograms, they wouldn't be able to get those services,” Tabar said.

The move by Komen has started a firestorm on social media, with many vowing they will reconsider where they send their charitable donations. 

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