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Susan G. Komen cuts funds to Planned Parenthood. (with updated edit) nossy Send a noteboard - 02/02/2012 04:32:27 PM
SGK has reversed the cut: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/03/us-usa-healthcare-komen-idUSTRE8111WA20120203

The facts are in the linked article, but I found something from the Economist that comes closes to what I've been thinking about the whole thing:

Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood
The rift


Feb 1st 2012, 19:03 by E.G. | AUSTIN
YESTERDAY the Associated Press reported that the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure—America's most prominent breast-cancer charity—is stopping its grants to Planned Parenthood, America's leading reproductive health-care provider:

Planned Parenthood says the move results from Komen bowing to pressure from anti-abortion activists. Komen says the key reason is that Planned Parenthood is under investigation in Congress—a probe launched by a conservative Republican who was urged to act by anti-abortion groups.

Susan G. Komen provides grants dedicated to breast-cancer screening; Planned Parenthood says that of the 4m breast-cancer screenings it has conducted over the past five years, 170,000 have been paid for by the grants in question. On the left, the news has been greeted as a betrayal (see, for example, here, here, here, here, here, and from Planned Parenthood itself, here). On the right, it has been heralded (examples here, here, here, and here). What's interesting about the reactions is that neither side is giving any credence to Susan G. Komen's apparently anodyne explanation that it's a matter of policy to suspend funding for any organisation under congressional investigation. For progressives and feminists, the news is evidence that Susan G. Komen's commitment to women's health can be abrogated by political pressure from the pro-life right. For the pro-life right, in turn, the news is evidence that Susan G. Komen has taken a bold stance against the abortionists at Planned Parenthood.

It's a cynical thing to say, but I suspect this might cost Susan G. Komen more than it does Planned Parenthood. The former has long been criticised for sugar-coating or even commercialising breast cancer. See Barbara Ehrenreich's 2001 essay "Welcome to Cancerland" for an elegant indictment:

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What has grown up around breast cancer in just the last fifteen years more nearly resembles a cult—or, given that it numbers more than two million women, their families, and friends—perhaps we should say a full-fledged religion. The products—teddy bears, pink-ribbon brooches, and so forth—serve as amulets and talismans, comforting the sufferer and providing visible evidence of faith. The personal narratives serve as testimonials and follow the same general arc as the confessional autobiographies required of seventeenth-century Puritans: first there is a crisis, often involving a sudden apprehension of mortality (the diagnosis or, in the old Puritan case, a stem word from on high); then comes a prolonged ordeal (the treatment or, in the religious case, internal struggle with the Devil); and finally, the blessed certainty of salvation, or its breast-cancer equivalent, survivorhood.
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Planned Parenthood, by contrast, serves several million people a year; mostly women, but also men. The bulk of its activities are focused on contraception, STI screening, and cancer screening, and it places a particular emphasis on providing reproductive health care to people who otherwise wouldn't have access. They also provide abortions, which are controversial, obviously, but legal, obviously. And insofar as access to contraception and other family-planning services reduces the demand for abortion, Planned Parenthood also prevents abortion. In my view, it is an important part of civil society. Even from a pro-life position, I would think it qualifies: being pro-life is a coherent moral position, and not one that necessarily implies a lack of concern for women's health. So I really don't understand why Planned Parenthood gets so much grief from the right. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that I understand what the complaints are, but I'm not really convinced. Last year, for example, Kathryn Jean Lopez published an admiring interview with Abby Johnson, a Planned Parenthood clinic director turned pro-life activist. Among other things, Ms Johnson said that Planned Parenthood should be defunded:

Planned Parenthood is an organization that does not provide quality health care. Our tax money should go to organizations that provide comprehensive care to women, men, and children. There are better uses of our money. Planned Parenthood provides shabby, limited health care. Why would we want women to get some health care when they can go to a different clinic, other than Planned Parenthood, and receive total health care?

That makes some sense—Planned Parenthood doesn't focus on comprehensive health care—but what clinics is she talking about? The emergency room? Crisis pregnancy centres? No organisation is beyond inquiry, of course, and if people want to have a debate about whether the government should help fund Planned Parenthood, that's fair; according to its most recent annual report, nearly half of its 2009-2010 revenue, or roughly $487m, came from government grants (federal, state or local). With that said, in the absence of a better safety net, it's a little bit churlish to be so reactionary about the organisations that are slogging away in this space. As for the Susan G. Komen grants, they added up to about $680,000 last year. I wouldn't be surprised if Planned Parenthood raises more than that from private donations in the wake of this announcement.

Link to the article (down in the middle of the blog): http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica

Imo, it seems more political than anything else, and even though it's extremely cynical, I can't help but wonder when SGK decided to implement the rules against giving funds to those under investigation. It seems like an awfully specific rule and appropriately timed change, given that PP is currently under inspection by congress. And as I said somewhere else, the only thing that pisses me off is that each side seems to think it's ok to only accept the view of PP that works for them: They are EITHER baby-killing murders OR people who offer helpful women's health education and services to the poor. Annoyingly misleading, either way.
Pick your news source. This is ABC news/AP:
This message last edited by nossy on 03/02/2012 at 06:20:04 PM
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Susan G. Komen cuts funds to Planned Parenthood. (with updated edit) - 02/02/2012 04:32:27 PM 2333 Views
The most annoying part is in the sixth paragraph- abortions are only a small part of their thing - 02/02/2012 05:08:07 PM 1226 Views
I agree. - 02/02/2012 05:20:17 PM 1120 Views
I can understand it though. - 02/02/2012 05:45:55 PM 1190 Views
I can too, it just isn't for me. - 02/02/2012 05:58:33 PM 1110 Views
Actually, there are longer-acting forms of birth control than the pill. - 03/02/2012 12:37:42 AM 1110 Views
I do think that preventing abortions is their primary goal. - 03/02/2012 01:08:05 AM 1076 Views
If they don't see that link, it's because they haven't looked. - 03/02/2012 02:42:42 AM 1161 Views
That is a little unfair. - 03/02/2012 12:48:46 PM 1380 Views
Won't someone please think of the children?! - 04/02/2012 05:03:27 AM 1150 Views
I think you're leaving out some important points. - 04/02/2012 03:40:48 PM 1093 Views
Ah, the good ol' silent majority. - 04/02/2012 07:32:29 PM 1077 Views
So which moron is feeding you this crap? - 04/02/2012 10:27:15 PM 1124 Views
A zygote isn't a person, because it doesn't have a brain. - 05/02/2012 12:33:29 AM 1091 Views
It worries me when we think alike.... - 05/02/2012 01:22:35 PM 1148 Views
Brain waves at 8 weeks are a myth. - 05/02/2012 08:46:06 PM 1232 Views
"brain function... appears to be reliably present in the fetus at about eight weeks' gestation." - 05/02/2012 10:42:35 PM 1152 Views
Oh please. - 05/02/2012 11:13:50 PM 1104 Views
Re: Oh please yourself. - 06/02/2012 09:15:26 PM 990 Views
Quite a telling reply. - 07/02/2012 04:38:20 AM 1072 Views
Re: I quite agree. - 08/02/2012 06:03:23 PM 1279 Views
You're taking an issue of objective facts and treating it like a day of playground gossip. - 09/02/2012 03:47:06 AM 1079 Views
No, your source, in which there is very little that is objective, did that for me. - 11/02/2012 02:59:45 AM 1130 Views
I see you have continued to provide no factual arguments. - 14/02/2012 04:53:28 AM 1400 Views
I presented factual rebuttals. - 19/02/2012 01:56:45 AM 1179 Views
You continue to miss the point. - 23/02/2012 10:22:24 PM 1260 Views
Well, yes. - 04/02/2012 11:14:47 PM 1158 Views
A silent majority may as well not exist, if it has no tangible effects. - 05/02/2012 12:54:34 AM 1110 Views
You ignoring it is not the same thing as it having no tangible effect. - 05/02/2012 02:11:36 AM 1196 Views
Ignoring what? You haven't shown me anything solid. - 05/02/2012 05:25:23 AM 1100 Views
It's ok, we're done. *NM* - 05/02/2012 09:29:05 AM 653 Views
Since few people oppose ADULT contraception access, that might be wise in this case. - 04/02/2012 08:25:49 PM 1243 Views
Re: Since few people oppose ADULT contraception access, that might be wise in this case. - 05/02/2012 02:11:28 AM 1083 Views
If you are arguing most sex ed opponents are naïve/ignorant, I agree. - 05/02/2012 08:42:17 AM 948 Views
Re: If you are arguing most sex ed opponents are naïve/ignorant, I agree. - 05/02/2012 10:04:59 PM 1122 Views
Re: If you are arguing most sex ed opponents are naïve/ignorant, I agree. - 06/02/2012 08:57:38 PM 1069 Views
I'm done discussing my use of the term "oppression." The Tim Ryan stuff is interesting, though. - 07/02/2012 05:37:05 AM 1191 Views
Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 08/02/2012 06:01:32 PM 1280 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 09/02/2012 05:30:58 AM 1142 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 11/02/2012 02:58:00 AM 1164 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 14/02/2012 04:29:08 AM 1264 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 19/02/2012 01:54:30 AM 1144 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 23/02/2012 10:59:32 PM 1470 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 07/03/2012 01:47:44 AM 1108 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 15/03/2012 10:27:23 PM 1382 Views
There are problems with the implants - 03/02/2012 01:42:55 AM 1131 Views
You have a talent for understatement. - 03/02/2012 01:08:40 PM 1113 Views
I agree that they have made Beast Cancer a cult but splitting with PP is just smart - 02/02/2012 05:39:49 PM 1268 Views
I agree. - 02/02/2012 06:00:17 PM 1044 Views
yes she is going to have to piss off one group or the other - 02/02/2012 06:12:31 PM 1105 Views
Right - 02/02/2012 06:24:14 PM 1164 Views
Do you see a way Komen could have avoided pissing off one side? - 02/02/2012 06:55:36 PM 1103 Views
No, I don't. I don't believe I said that? - 02/02/2012 07:53:50 PM 1020 Views
You didn't; I inferred it from the way you phrased that ("if she HAS to..."). Sorry. - 02/02/2012 08:06:11 PM 1095 Views
I know I'm not always clear. - 02/02/2012 08:32:47 PM 1091 Views
Just curious... - 02/02/2012 10:07:49 PM 1079 Views
Not at all. - 02/02/2012 10:24:19 PM 1146 Views
Not at all? - 02/02/2012 10:32:31 PM 1038 Views
No. - 02/02/2012 10:47:04 PM 988 Views
My argument is based on my belief that the pro-choice women are more dedicated to women's causes - 02/02/2012 11:17:24 PM 1088 Views
Re: My argument is based on my belief that the pro-choice women are more dedicated to women's causes - 03/02/2012 12:08:01 AM 1084 Views
wow that may be the worst advice I had in weeks - 03/02/2012 12:13:18 AM 1064 Views
Ooor, the best. - 03/02/2012 12:25:56 AM 1042 Views
ok now you are just being mean *NM* - 03/02/2012 12:46:12 AM 641 Views
The thread was going too well - I thought we needed the meanness. *NM* - 03/02/2012 11:30:39 AM 592 Views
rabble rouser *NM* - 04/02/2012 04:24:01 AM 655 Views
I misread this at first - 03/02/2012 12:51:44 AM 1089 Views
not to mention codeine seems to make me double post - 02/02/2012 11:17:26 PM 2135 Views
I'm not so sure I agree. Or not completely. - 02/02/2012 06:14:11 PM 1022 Views
I don't diagree with the way you see it - 02/02/2012 06:39:41 PM 1098 Views
More inevitable than anything, considering who started Komen. - 02/02/2012 10:19:34 PM 1036 Views
Never having heard of any of those except PP, my opinion may not be the most relevant... - 02/02/2012 08:32:48 PM 1149 Views
You don't know stuff. - 02/02/2012 08:43:38 PM 1115 Views
I know the stuff that matters. - 02/02/2012 09:55:08 PM 1023 Views
That's true. - 02/02/2012 10:34:32 PM 1129 Views
they may also be a afraid that PP will go the way of ACORN - 02/02/2012 11:04:16 PM 1172 Views
"Accused" of = unfounded slander. - 03/02/2012 12:13:30 AM 1227 Views
This is so foreign a debate for me - 02/02/2012 10:16:15 PM 1142 Views
Must be nice. *NM* - 03/02/2012 12:26:49 AM 696 Views
Re: stuff - 03/02/2012 09:18:53 AM 1042 Views
I'm sorry, but what're we talking about when we're talking about "cancer" - 03/02/2012 12:49:34 PM 1077 Views
Obviously not adenocarcinoma, no. - 04/02/2012 07:36:06 AM 1158 Views
I"m not that fussed. I'm just generally leary of research that has results like that - 04/02/2012 08:35:04 PM 1031 Views
Fair enough. - 04/02/2012 10:17:31 PM 1154 Views
They restored funding incidentally - 03/02/2012 05:43:47 PM 1046 Views
Unless I've missed it - 03/02/2012 05:56:15 PM 1105 Views
You must have missed it then - 03/02/2012 07:07:13 PM 1033 Views
If you're referring to Cannoli - 03/02/2012 07:19:25 PM 1192 Views
Multiple was not an accidental choice of words - 03/02/2012 11:46:30 PM 1075 Views
Then I agree that maybe this is not the thread for you. - 04/02/2012 12:41:42 AM 1091 Views
Re: Then I agree that maybe this is not the thread for you. - 04/02/2012 01:53:25 AM 1287 Views
Well, I'll try again for both of us. - 04/02/2012 02:56:42 PM 1120 Views
Re: Well, I'll try again for both of us. - 04/02/2012 07:40:25 PM 1084 Views
well at least there will not be any doubt about this being a political decision - 03/02/2012 06:24:14 PM 1216 Views
I think that ship sailed long ago. - 03/02/2012 08:45:13 PM 1032 Views
Truth - 04/02/2012 02:07:20 AM 1129 Views
I do wonder a bit which lawmakers Fox thinks "pressured" Komen. - 03/02/2012 08:29:50 PM 1030 Views
are you trying to disprove the study you posted? - 03/02/2012 09:20:12 PM 1168 Views
To me, it depends on the nature of the contact, which I have not dug enough to discover. - 03/02/2012 10:43:45 PM 1061 Views
you admit you have no incite into what happened - 04/02/2012 04:27:17 AM 1098 Views
Actually, it looks like Komens new VP (and former GOP GA gubernatorial candidate) had the incite. - 04/02/2012 04:24:14 PM 1126 Views
educated guess don't work when you are tinfoil hat wearing kool-aid drinker - 04/02/2012 09:33:49 PM 1039 Views
Dude. - 04/02/2012 11:20:49 PM 956 Views
Yo mama? - 05/02/2012 05:32:11 AM 1136 Views
whhhhhhyyyyyy - 04/02/2012 11:23:58 PM 1125 Views
Why would I not think that? - 05/02/2012 05:46:15 AM 987 Views

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