Triad, NC-- Two organizations dedicated to women's health and improving lives are cutting ties; the Susan G. Komen Foundations says it will no longer support Planned Parenthood.
The decision means the end of $600,000 in grants to Planned Parenthood clinics.
Komen said it's because Planned Parenthood is under investigation by Congress. Planned Parenthood said Komen is getting pressure from Capitol Hill for their history of providing abortions.
News 2 looked at this kind of broken partnership on a local level.
It could have long-term effects on many local women's health organizations who rely on the Komen foundation for grant money. The public backlash may discourage folks from donating to the Komen Foundation. Unfortunately, the local Susan G. Komen North Carolina Triad Affiliate feels their hands are tied.
Anna Eichhorn, Executive Director of the Susan G. Komen North Carolina Triad Affiliate said, "It is discouraging that any organizations that are truly trying to help women have any disagreement whatsoever but a lot of things are done at the national level, at the policy level, which we have no control over at the local level."
There won't be a direct or immediate effect in our area. The local Komen Foundation hasn't donated to the North Carolina Planned Parenthood since 2009. However, in the future, the Komen Foundation won't be there as a donor option.
37% of the Planned Parenthood funding is from private donations, which Komen was included under. The majority of funding is from patient services at 59%. State funding makes up just under 4% of the budget.
News 2 spoke with a representative from the North Carolina Planned Parenthood about the misconceptions and stigma attached to the organization. They told us that in North Carolina, 95% of the services offered by Planned Parenthood are not abortions. The most common service provided are birth control pills and the typical North Carolina patient is a 24-year-old woman.
Other services include STD testing and treatment, breast and cervical cancer screenings, teen and parent education programs, body image counseling, and even male fertility and sexual health.
The NC Planned Parenthood representative told News 2 that considering all the good they do, this severed partnership is really disheartening to women's health.
In response to that, Komen Regional Director Anna Eichhorn said, "I completely understand their concerns, I'm seeing both sides of that coin, I have my own personal views on it as well, and I have deep concerns."
Planned Parenthood serves 25,000 patients a year in North Carolina. A big part of their services are for low-income women.
WFMY News 2, North Carolina Planned Parenthood, Susan G. Komen North Carolina Triad Affiliate