LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- A controversial move by Susan G. Komen for the Cure is causing outrage among some women. The breast cancer charity has decided to withhold cancer funds that go to Planned Parenthood for low income women to get breast exams.
The move has resulted in the resignation a top public health official at Komen -- and two dozen senators are calling on Komen to reverse its decision.
Komen is best known for its annual, and very popular, Race for the Cure run and walk. Now, the organization is drawing fire for pulling future grant money from Planned Parenthood.
Among women we spoke with it drew mixed reactions.
"With them not funding, that's putting Planned Parenthood at risk. They are saying women really don’t matter," Mary Booey said.
“I am glad to hear that the Komen Foundation is doing that," Virginia McKee said.
Komen founder Nancy Brinker said the decision has been misinterpreted. Brinker says it wasn’t a move to bow to political pressure, but rather a change in granting guidelines in which the organization now has established more stringent guidelines.
"We are working with our affiliates to make sure there are no gaps in services. Contrary to what some are saying we are not pulling any existing grants. Current grants are not affected. As we move forward we will implement these new strategies which will allow us to serve even more women," Brinker said.
Locally, Komen has not been asked for grant money by local Planned Parenthood organizations. Still Planned Parenthood says it’s disappointed in the decision.
“I think we can agree on being anti cancer. That’s something that Planned Parenthood works on and Komen works. I think that’s why we are hearing from the community that they are unhappy with this decision. It really feels like politics getting involved in health care and the women that are being hurt have the least access,” Taylor Johnstone, Planned Parenthood Kentucky, said.
