Planned Parenthood Donations Increase in Wake of Susan G Komen Grant Cuts

Susan G Komen for the Cure, the largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the United States, withdrew its funding from Planned Parenthood on Tuesday, a move that drew criticism from some women's health advocates, who said Susan G Komen is putting politics ahead of health.

Planned Parenthood has come under fire from pro-life advocates, because they provide abortions in addition to other forms of counseling and screening.

Susan G Komen for the Cure said they withdrew its funding from Planned Parenthood not because of politics, but because of a congressional investigation Planned Parenthood is undergoing to determine if the nonprofit used federal money to fund abortions, a violation of the 1976 Hyde Amendment. Previous audits of Planned Parenthood found no evidence of wrongdoing.

In the wake of Susan G Komen for the Cure cutting its funding to Planned Parenthood, supporters of Planned Parenthood poured in and tried to make up for it, and, according to Planned Parenthood, were successful.

People respond powerfully when they see politics interfering with women's health, Planned Parenthood said, according to The Hill. That's why we've seen a tremendous outpouring of support. These donations will continue to help expand Planned Parenthood's critical health care services nationwide, especially those affiliates impacted by the Komen cuts.

In the 24 hours since Planned Parenthood had its funding cut, the organization brought in $400,000 online donations from 6,000 people. The largest was a $250,000 donation, though Planned Parenthood didn't say from whom.

Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit organization founded in 1916 that provides reproductive health services, and is the largest provider of those services in the United States. Planned Parenthood provides services such as contraceptives, which make up 35 percent of its total services, breast, testicular, and cervical cancer screenings, sexually transmitted disease testing, and pregnancy counseling, which includes abortions.

Planned Parenthood has received federal funding since 1970. President Richard Nixon signed the Family Planning Services and Population Research Act, which amended the Public Health Service Act, which provides funding for family planning services, including contraception and family planning information.