Susan G. Komen retracts decision, will fund Planned Parenthood
Updated at 11:55 a.m. ET
(CBS) Susan G. Komen for the Cure has reversed its decision to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, and will continue to fund grants for breast cancer screening at Planned Parenthood clinics, the cancer charity said in a statement.
"We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives," read a prepared statement from Susan G. Komen Board of Directors and Founder and CEO, Nancy G. Brinker.
The statement said Susan G. Komen will amend its policy to deny funding to organizations under investigation.
"Our original desire was to fulfill our fiduciary duty to our donors by not funding grant applications made by organizations under investigation. We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political. That is what is right and fair."
Komen plans to honor the grant funding for all 19 Planned Parenthood clinics, and will also allow them to apply for future grants.
"We urge everyone who has participated in this conversation across the country over the last few days to help us move past this issue," the statement read. "We do not want our mission marred or affected by politics - anyone's politics."
Brinker had initially called the public backlash a "mischacterization"and claimed the decision to drop funding was not politically motivated.
Planned Parenthood responded with a statement that thanked Americans for their support.
"The outpouring of support for women in need of lifesaving breast cancer screening this week has been astonishing and is a testament to our nation's compassion and sincerity," Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement. "This compassionate outcry in support of those most in need rose above political, ideological, and cultural divides, and will surely be recognized as one of our nation's better moments during a contentious political time."
"We are now heartened that we can continue to work in partnership toward our shared commitment to breast health for the most underserved women. We are enormously grateful that the Komen Foundation has clarified its grantmaking criteria, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Komen partners, leaders and volunteers."
