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February 8, 2012 in Nation/World
Komen executive quits, revealing role in dispute
Karen Handel speaks Tuesday after announcing her resignation as vice president for public policy for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
(Full-size photo)
ATLANTA – A vice president at Susan G. Komen for the Cure resigned Tuesday, saying the breast cancer charity should have stood by its politically explosive decision to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood.
Karen Handel, a Republican who opposed abortion as a candidate for Georgia governor, said she was actively engaged in efforts to cut off the grants and said the charity’s reversal hurt its core mission.
“I am deeply disappointed by the gross mischaracterizations of the strategy, its rationale, and my involvement in it,” Handel said in her letter. “I openly acknowledge my role in the matter and continue to believe our decision was the best one for Komen’s future and the women we serve.”
The grants, totaling $680,000 last year, went to breast-screening services offered by Planned Parenthood, which provides a range of women’s health care services including abortions. Under criteria developed by Komen during Handel’s tenure, Planned Parenthood would have been disqualified from future grants because it was under a congressional investigation launched at the urging of anti-abortion activists.
Komen reversed course after its decision ignited a three-day firestorm of criticism. Members of Congress and Komen affiliates accused the group’s national leadership of bending to pressure from anti-abortion activists.
“Neither the decision nor the changes themselves were based on anyone’s political beliefs or ideology,” Handel said in her resignation letter. “Rather, both were based on Komen’s mission and how to better serve women, as well as a realization of the need to distance Komen from controversy.”
Handel said the discussion had started before she arrived at the organization last year. She said the charity was concerned that some Roman Catholic Dioceses had encouraged believers not to give to Komen because it supported Planned Parenthood. Until Tuesday, Handel had publicly kept silent about her role in the dispute.
A person with direct knowledge of decision-making at Komen’s headquarters in Dallas said last week that the grant-making criteria were adopted with the deliberate intention of targeting Planned Parenthood. The criteria’s impact on Planned Parenthood and its status as the focus of government investigations were highlighted in a memo distributed to Komen affiliates in December.
According to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, a driving force behind the move was Handel.
© Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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kma on February 08 at 9:30 a.m.
Republicans are screaming about the birth control mandate for INSURANCE COMPANIES but don’t give a crap about someone like HANDEL and the churches (Catholic) sticking their polictical noses into mine or anyone else’s uterus. You want separation of Church and State, then keep religion OUT OF POLITICS!!!! Republicans just don’t get that DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO gets it anymore. Keep your republican noses out of women’s reproductive organs!!!! You don’t want to take BIRTH CONTROL then don’t, most could give a crap. I do think there needs to be a limit on the tax right offs for children. Look at Romney, Santorum……..barefoot and pregnant is their way and less tax to pay but gesh Romney hasn’t paid his fair share in taxes ever.
And, doesn’t it just fit, she (HANDEL) is part of the PAINLIN engine. I guess liars stick together for support.
Seagraf on February 08 at 11:59 a.m.
Nothing new here. A Republican gets in a position where they can influence your very personal choices and they overreach. Remember the T. Shivo case?? I find it hypocritical that they insist on smaller, less intrusive government, but want to make your Personal decisions for you as they attempt to shove their religious beliefs down your throat. Wait till Santorum is elected President. We’ll have block spys reporting our every move.
kma on February 08 at 2:38 p.m.
He will never be elected, he even makes most republicans sick. I mean, bring home a still born and have your children hold it and then sleep with it. Come on, what is wrong with that picture. Most hospitals have special rooms for the family to grieve not bring home a still born.
So that is why we need to get out and support President Obama. He is truly for the people, not a rich lying repuk.
misjustice on February 08 at 6:35 p.m.
Maybe Ms. Handel can run for gubnor of Georgia again; and lose.