Officials from Planned Parenthood are concerned about a Susan G. Komen For The Cure decision to stop giving grants to them mainly used for breast exams. The amount is said to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Planned Parenthood of Illinois President and CEO Carol Brite says the issue seems like a double edged sword.
Brite says her organization thinks Komen is being pressured by anti-abortion groups to end any financial help to Planned Parenthood. Brite is aware Koem officials say the reason they are haltinng funding is because of a Congressional investigation into allegations public money could have been inappropriately spent on abortions. Brite says Planned Parenthood is fully cooperating with the government and is confident any claims will be unfounded. The investigation Brite talks about was launched by U-S House Republican from Florida Cliff Stearns.
Peoria Komen Affiliate spokeswoman Linda Maricle says her 36 county area does not have an agreement with Planned Parenthood, so there is no issue locally. Brite acknowledges Illinois does not have a contract with Komen. But, she says other states do, and that's where the funding has been shut off.
Maricle is aware of the general situation, however. She says it's something being handled at a higher headquarters level of Susan G. Komen. Maricle says the decision to not fund grants with any organization under investigation at the local, state or federal level is made at the headquarters level. Maricle says Susan G. Komen gave over $93 million dollars last year to community health programs including money for over 700,000 mamograms. Brite hopes this situation can be resolved.
