Friday, February 3, 2012

Is Karen Handel to Blame for Komen's Decision to Stop Funding Planned Parenthood?

There has been a flurry of news stories, blog posts, and emails regarding Susan G. Komen Foundation's recent announcement they would no longer provide funds to Planned Parenthood. The announcement followed the group's decision to no longer fund groups who are under investigation by federal, state or local government.  That is part of being in business for Planned Parenthood, so this effectively ends their decades long relationship.

I along with at least 300,000 others, have signed petitions urging the Susan G Komen Foundation to reevaluate their decision.  I've seen some comments applauding the decision, as Planned Parenthood (PP) does perform and/or facilitate abortions; however, the funds given by Susan G Komen has specifically been for their "cancer screening and prevention services", and  PP cannot use the funds towards their abortion services. So why on earth they at this point would choose to no longer fund breast cancer screenings, biopsies etc. for poor and under-insured women who otherwise will not have these services available, if it is not politically motivated, is beyond me.

Karen Handel, VP of Public Policy for Susan G. Komen and "lifelong conservative republican" tweeted the following:

No, that doesn't seem political motivated at all....For more information on Handel, see this post in The Raw Story

...and I just have to say it. No one is "pro-abortion". No one wishes to have an abortion. But having the choice, due to circumstances and/or health reasons, should be available for all women! We can argue the point as much as we want. The fact is that we either provide sanitary, legal ways to provide the option of an abortion, or we go back to the backstreet butch doctors. Which one would you like to see your daughter be treated by, if she ever ended up with an unwanted pregnancy? And should we wish to further lower the number of unwanted pregnancies, thus lowering the number of abortions, let's make sure all kids growing up actually learns how to protect themselves!

OK, let me get off the soap box!  Now as for Planned Parenthood, what services do they provide?

Audited results of Planned Parenthood Budget Breakdown:
=======================================…
Cancer Screening and Prevention — 16 percent of services in 2009
Contraception — 35 percent of services in 2009
STI/STD Testing and Treatment — 35 percent of services in 2009
Other Women’s Health Services (Pregnancy test, Pre-Natal) – 10 percent of services in 2009
Abortion Services — 3 percent of services in 2009 (NON-Federal Money)

97% of their services are not related to abortions!  Sadly, if Susan G Komen does not reverse their decision, as many of their own local chapters have spoken out against, I for one, will no longer support their charity, but will give my money directly to Planned Parenthood instead!

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