DENVER -- Two well known groups involved in women’s health issues are cutting ties and it's sparking controversy.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation announced it will no longer provide grant money to Planned Parenthood because Planned Parenthood is under investigation by Congress.
The Colorado chapters of both groups are trying to work things out, and the Denver affiliate of Komen issued a statement that says it has received an exemption, and, if approved, it could still fund the next year’s grant to Planned Parenthood of Colorado.
Planned Parenthood says it received $165,000 per year through the Komen grants. They say it was enough to provide breast cancer screening and education to about 4,000 women in Colorado.
Leslie Durgin, Vice President of Planned Parenthood told FOX31 Denver that “84-percent of our clients have no health insurance. So this decision by Komen really leaves them out in the cold.”
While Komen’s decision is being applauded in the anti-abortion community, Planned Parenthood says the money from Komen is strictly earmarked for breast cancer screenings, testing and education. They say none of it can be used for abortions.
“Every year we have a very strict financial audit to not only address the Komen funding, but all public funding which cannot go for abortions and every year we get flying colors on our audit,” Durgin said, adding Komen demanded even more vigorous audits.
Dottie Lamm, former first lady of Colorado is a breast cancer survivor and a supporter of both Planned Parenthood and Komen. She is hopeful a compromise can be reached.
“I`ve run in a lot of races … I`ve raised a lot of money for Planned Parenthood and so I`ve never seen any conflict. I was thrilled when Komen was funding breast screening services for Planned Parenthood," Lamm said. "I`m horrified because I think national (Komen) succumbed to political pressure, but I a think there is hope on the local level in a lot of places.”
The Denver affiliate of Komen issued a statement on Facebook that says in part, “Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been granted an exception for the Affiliate to fund Planned Parenthood for the grant cycle April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013 pending the Grant Review Committee and Board of Directors approval of their grant application."
The Susan G. Komen Foundation announced it will no longer provide grant money to Planned Parenthood because Planned Parenthood is under investigation by Congress.
The Colorado chapters of both groups are trying to work things out, and the Denver affiliate of Komen issued a statement that says it has received an exemption, and, if approved, it could still fund the next year’s grant to Planned Parenthood of Colorado.
Planned Parenthood says it received $165,000 per year through the Komen grants. They say it was enough to provide breast cancer screening and education to about 4,000 women in Colorado.
Leslie Durgin, Vice President of Planned Parenthood told FOX31 Denver that “84-percent of our clients have no health insurance. So this decision by Komen really leaves them out in the cold.”
While Komen’s decision is being applauded in the anti-abortion community, Planned Parenthood says the money from Komen is strictly earmarked for breast cancer screenings, testing and education. They say none of it can be used for abortions.
“Every year we have a very strict financial audit to not only address the Komen funding, but all public funding which cannot go for abortions and every year we get flying colors on our audit,” Durgin said, adding Komen demanded even more vigorous audits.
Dottie Lamm, former first lady of Colorado is a breast cancer survivor and a supporter of both Planned Parenthood and Komen. She is hopeful a compromise can be reached.
“I`ve run in a lot of races … I`ve raised a lot of money for Planned Parenthood and so I`ve never seen any conflict. I was thrilled when Komen was funding breast screening services for Planned Parenthood," Lamm said. "I`m horrified because I think national (Komen) succumbed to political pressure, but I a think there is hope on the local level in a lot of places.”
The Denver affiliate of Komen issued a statement on Facebook that says in part, “Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been granted an exception for the Affiliate to fund Planned Parenthood for the grant cycle April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013 pending the Grant Review Committee and Board of Directors approval of their grant application."
