Opinion: 2013 Losses ‘Price of Playing Politics’ for Komen

The more than $77-million decline in Susan G. Komen’s income last year measures the cost of the charity’s short-lived attempt in early 2012 to end cancer-screening grants to Planned Parenthood, a Los Angeles Times economics columnist writes.

Michael Hiltzik, in his column the Economy Hub, calls the flap “one of the great PR faux pas of the decade.” Komen set off a firestorm when it cut off funding to Planned Parenthood in what Mr. Hiltzik said “appeared to be a bow to anti-abortion crusaders.” The nation’s largest breast-cancer charity reversed the decision a few days after it became public.

Recently released Komen financial statements show the foundation’s suffered a 22-percent loss in revenue from donations, sponsorships, and entry fees for its race and walk events for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013, from $348-million to $270-million. The controversy also triggered greater scrutiny of Komen’s financial record, including how much it spends on research, Mr. Hiltzik notes.