On Tuesday, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation announced that it would no longer provide financial support to Planned Parenthood.  The Susan G. Komen Foundation has given a great deal of money to Planned Parenthood for many years, in order to support PP’s ability to provide breast cancer screening for low income women.  The reason they gave was that PP is being investigated in Congress, but the truth is that they have caved to the incredibly vocal anti-choice lobbyists who have gained so much power over our national politics.

The immediate reaction to the announcement by Susan G. Komen for the Cure was twofold.  Emergency operating funds began pouring in for Planned Parenthood from individuals and organizations with the message that the money was going to Planned Parenthood instead of Susan G. Komen.  At the same time, organizations and individuals began to immediately sever their ties with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, including one of its own affiliates!  Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Connecticut has released a statement that it will continue to provide funding to Planned Parenthood of New England.

The attempt by Susan G. Komen to politicize women’s health- and most perversely, BREAST health- is an example of the absurd determination by American Right extremists to throw all aspects of women’s health under the anti-abortion bus.  Denying women access to pap smears and mammograms will teach those poor women without health insurance not to go to a health clinic that supports abortion rights, won’t it?

Stand with Planned Parenthood for the health and safety of women everywhere.  Thank you.