UPDATE: Friday, February 3, 2012

Planned Parenthood says it's welcoming today's decision by a breast-cancer charity.

The charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, had instituted a policy that would have eliminated the grants it had been making to Planned Parenthood. But now, it's reversing course, after a flood of criticism that resounded across the Internet.

A statement from Komen says, "We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives."

The criteria that the charity had adopted would exclude Planned Parenthood for future grants for breast-cancer screenings because
it was under government investigation -- specifically, a probe launched by a Florida congressman at the urging of anti-abortion groups. Komen now says that policy will only apply to criminal investigations.

The president of Planned Parenthood says the group is "enormously grateful" that the Komen group has "clarified" its policy. She's also thanking those who've donated $3 million to the group in the days since the story broke. Cecile Richards says it shows "the deep resolve all Americans share in the fight against cancer."

Friday, February 3, 2012

After three days of controversy, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity says it is reversing its decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood.

"We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives," a Komen statement said.

As first reported by The Associated Press on Tuesday, Komen had adopted criteria excluding Planned Parenthood from grants because
it was under government investigation, notably a probe launched in Congress at the urging of anti-abortion groups.

Komen said Friday it would change the criteria so it wouldn't apply to such investigations.

"We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants," the statement said.