Bloomberg Will Donate Up To $250,000 To Planned Parenthood If You'll Donate Something, Too

Mayor Bloomberg likes fans (NYC Mayor's Office)

After the Susan G. Komen Foundation pulled its breast cancer prevention-related funding from Planned Parenthood, numerous people have been stepping up to donate to Planned Parenthood. And Mayor Bloomberg wants to donate $250,000—and have others donate another $250,000.

CityRoom reports that he's offering to match $1 to every new dollar donated to Planned Parenthood, up to $250,000. Bloomberg said, "Politics have no place in health care. Breast cancer screening saves lives and hundreds of thousands of women rely on Planned Parenthood for access to care. We should be helping women access that care, not placing barriers in their way."

Right now, Planned Parenthood has raised about $650,000 in the 24 hours after it was revealed Komen was defunding them. Komen claims that it's because there's a House investigation into Planned Parenthood's practices, but the investigation was launched by a pro-life Congressman. Komen's grants were around $680,000 in 2011 and $580,000 in 2010; if Mayor Bloomberg donated the full amount, matching $250,000 in others' donations, then over $1 million would be raised. The mayor just Tweeted, "Please donate to help #PlannedParenthood's breast cancer screening program & I'll match up to $250,000: bit.ly/ylZqbs #standwithPP"

Planned Parenthood Federation of America president Cecile Richards said, "On behalf of hundreds of thousands of women nationwide who rely on Planned Parenthood for breast cancer education and screening, we are enormously grateful to Mayor Bloomberg. This contribution will help ensure that politics don’t interfere with women having access to health care. People all across the country have stepped forward in the last 48 hours to offer help and support, and the Mayor’s donation will help ensure that no woman is denied breast cancer services because of right-wing political pressure campaigns."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on February 2, 2012 4:22 PM

Comments [rss]

dogbertt

Why is he holding a Korean fan?

BombaySplashVermouth

And he is not running for office?

whiteiris

It's a tax deduction and publicity for Napoleon er Bloomberg.

Caleb_Grey

Great. Now we need more progressives to realize that funding should could from the private sector, not the Federal Government.

whiteiris

Bing Bing Bing.You win!

MrWorms

This is completely irrelevant to the issue at hand.

Caleb_Grey

No it's absolutely relevant. It shows that when one source of funding disappears, there are others that will step in.

Jasperzoo

Yes, *sometimes*. But we can't always depend on the generosity of the private sector, which is precisely why the Fed is there. What's going to happen to PP once the Komen furor has died down?

Don't assume that "there are others that will step in."

Caleb_Grey

Why wouldnt they step in? Dont they feel it's worthwhile? They already fund 2/3s of it. Maybe its time they put their money where their mouth is.

whiteiris

How about FREE CLINICS? This is all about abortion. Any woman can go to a free clinic to get screenings.

Jasperzoo

Exactly, whiteiris, this is about some right-wing thugs trying to shut down Planned Parenthood in the name of abortion, when PP only spends 3% of its resources on abortion.

PP is the closest thing to a free clinic in many poor neighborhoods.

BottomlessChips

Don't assume that the government is well-intended.

Jasperzoo

At the same time, *never* assume that the private sector is well-intended. Their point, rightfully, is to make money, not to provide hand-outs.

BottomlessChips

But with the private sector, I can choose where my dollar goes. For instance, I'm not planning on donating to SGK anytime soon.

I'm pro-economic-choice.

Jasperzoo

Exactly right. Which is why the Fed is there to make sure that even the charities you and I don't necessarily agree with, get a fair shake.

BC

While not all mayors are as rich as Bloomberg, I think some other mayors around the country should be throwing down too!

Dead Himmler

With the amount of woman I have been with that utilize Planned Parenthood for contraceptives I feel like I have supported them in a substantial way.

ErstwhilePixie52

Then you ought to donate in order to keep that birth control affordable and accessible.

Amber

Humblebrag much?

Colonel_Ingus

Wait a minute... every other day Gothamist tells me he's a billionaire douche from Boston... have I been lied to all this time? THAT'S UNPOSSIBLE!

Mordicai

I knew there was some reason I voted for him!

randomtransplant

If you don't encourage somebodies good deeds they'll only do bad deeds.

theevilerone

He kicked puppies on the way to make this announcement. He also then issued a challenge grant to the NYPD: Free HIgh Five For Every Beating! Everyone wins!