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Breitbart Is Wrong: Texas Planned Parenthood Clinics DO Offer Mammograms

March 31, 2011 4:21 pm ET — 59 Comments

Andrew Breitbart's Big Journalism questioned the accuracy of Media Matters research showing that a Planned Parenthood clinic in Waco, Texas, provides mammograms. In fact, the clinic is partnered with outside organizations to provide mammograms.

Big Journalism: Media Matters' Statement That Waco, TX Planned Parenthood Clinic Provides Mammograms Is "False"

Big Journalism: "Planned Parenthood Clinics In Texas Are Not Licensed To Have Mammogram Machines." From a post on Breitbart's Big Journalism, linking only to conservative, anti-abortion organizations to back up its claims:

Says Media Matters:

mammogram

This is false.

Live Action called two clinics in Waco, in addition to the one in Tucson, Arizona (heard on tape in the video below) and were told that no, the clinics do not provide mammogram screenings. In fact,Planned Parenthood clinics in Texas are not licensed to have mammogram machines:

Of the 14 Planned Parenthood abortion clinics in Texas, not a single one has either license or equipment.

 [Big Journalism, 3/30/11]

FACT: Waco's Planned Parenthood Of Central Texas Is Partnered With Outside Organizations To Provide Mammograms

Planned Parenthood Of Central Texas Pays For Patients To Get Mammograms. In a statement to Media Matters, Felicia Chase Goodman, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Central Texas said:

Planned Parenthood of Central Texas is proud to provide comprehensive breast cancer screening for our patients, including mammography when needed. Through grants from the Central Texas affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and our participation in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening (BCCS) program (through the Texas Department of State Health Services), PPCT provides referrals and pays for mammograms and diagnostic follow up treatment for our patients at area radiology and surgical clinics.  

Through these grants, in 2010 PPCT patients received 609 screening mammograms and 125 diagnostic mammograms; breast cancer was detected in 20 women. For most of these patients, Planned Parenthood is their only healthcare provider. 

Through our participation in the BCCS program, patients who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer can be enrolled in the Medicaid for Breast and Cervical Cancer (MBCC) program, which ensures that they receive the necessary treatment to fight cancer.

Waco, TX Planned Parenthood Has Provided Over 2,000 Mammograms Since 2001. From a Waco Planned Parenthood Newsletter:

In 2009 we provided 487 mammograms and 162 diagnostic follow-up procedures for our patients. Since this program began in 2001, we have provided 2,683 mammograms to low-income women. [Waco Planned Parenthood, Spring/Summer 2010]

El Paso Times: "Free Mammograms May Be Available Through Nonprofit Health-Care Organizations Serving The Community, Including ... Planned Parenthood Of El Paso As Well As Others." From an October 10, 2008, column in The El Paso Times:

Women at high risk should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram.

Lack of access to health care and poverty issues restrict many women of color from prevention and early treatment of many types of cancers. Annual mammograms are generally out of the reach of most middle- to low-income women. Cultural presuppositions are inherent in this area of preventative care, restricting many women from seeking diagnosis and treatment.

Free mammograms are not provided by most health-care plans. The majority of diagnostic facilities accept private insurance, self-pay, Medicare and Medicaid; very few accommodate those lacking financial resources or insurance.

Free mammograms may be available through nonprofit health-care organizations serving the community, including Thomason Hospital, LULAC, Clinica Guadalupana and Planned Parenthood of El Paso as well as others.

But, without access to information, many women hesitate to seek out these services on their own.

Education is key to awareness; awareness is key to early detection. [The El Paso Times, 10/10/08, via Nexis]

Planned Parenthood Of Central Texas Is Partnered With Susan G. Komen Foundation And Texas Breast & Cervical Cancer Services To Provide Mammograms. From Planned Parenthood of Central Texas' website:

Lifesaving Programs

Planned Parenthood in Waco is a Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening (BCCS) provider in Texas and receives funds from the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help women get mammography and follow-up care.

Susan G. Komen Foundation

Through a grant from the local Central Texas Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Planned Parenthood in Waco provides life-saving mammogram screening and abnormal mammogram follow-up diagnostic testing for low-income women.

[...]

Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Services program (BCCS) offers clinical breast examinations, mammograms, pelvic examinations, and Pap tests throughout Texas at no or low-cost to eligible women. The goal of Texas' BCCS is to reduce mortality from breast cancer and cervical cancer in Texas. [PlannedParenthood.org, accessed 3/31/11]

Texas Department Of State Health Services Lists Planned Parenthood Clinics As Breast Cancer Service Providers.  The Texas Department of State Health Services includes Planned Parenthood of Central Texas in Waco in its list of Breast and Cervical Cancer Services providers. [Breast & Cervical Cancer Services Clinic Locator, 2/15/11]

Waco, TX Planned Parenthood Newsletter Announced A Partnership With BCCS To Provide Mammograms. From the Waco Planned Parenthood's Spring/Summer 2008 newsletter:

We were approved as one of the 200 Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening (BCCS) providers in Texas. BCCS brings to low income/uninsured women over 50, services for breast screening, mammography and diagnostic follow-up. It also provides prevention services for low income/uninsured women 18 - 64 who have never been screened for cervical cancer (Pap smear) or who have not been screened in over 5 years. These older populations include women who we have not been funded to see previously since our family planning funds exclude women who are "not fertile." We have increased our clinical staff and contracted with local surgeons for follow-up in order to meet the goals of BCCS. BCCS is a wonderful complement to our collaboration with the Central Texas Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation through which we provide mammography for women under 50. We expanded our contracts with Waco Radiology, Hillcrest Center for Breast Screening and the Celia Mitchell Breast Center to meet the increased need that will come with the new BCCS initiative. [Planned Parenthood in Waco Newsletter, Spring/Summer 2008]


— K.B.F.
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    • Author by jonimacaroni1 (March 31, 2011 4:42 pm ET)
      17  
      The State of Texas thinks that Planned Parenthood is a resource for women needing mammograms.

      For women living in 10 counties in mostly rural central Texas, the only site that the state of Texas refers women to for mammograms is Planned Parenthood's Mary Ruth Duncan Health Center. There isn't another community health center in the area that offers these referral services. If PP loses funding, what's supposed to happen to lower-income women in these 10 counties?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by ginabobina (March 31, 2011 4:52 pm ET)
      3 20
      Maybe the Komen foundation can pay the mammo provider directly and take PP out of the equation.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by jonimacaroni1 (March 31, 2011 5:01 pm ET)
        18  
        There needs to be a local community health clinic to provide the referrals. The Komen foundation gives it to the people who know who to provide referrals to. In Waco, for example, PP can't be taken out of the equation, since they're the only provider in the area.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by southernlady (March 31, 2011 5:15 pm ET)
          17  
          You nailed it joni. PP is the only resource for low income women in certain areas, and for people like Andrew Breitbart to lie and smear this organization which provides invaluable health related screenings to women is unconscionable.

          He is only furthering this lie to garner support for defunding PP, and it's sleazy and dishonest to the core.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by n'est-ce pas (March 31, 2011 5:07 pm ET)
        13  
        Lila Rose's group Live Action produced yet another flop hit piece against Planned Parenthood. Media Matters did a great job of disproving Live Action's piece, which prompted Breitbart to try the same tactic against Media Matters. This article is Media Matters rebuttal to Breitbart's false accusation. Your response to this is...nonsequitir. Did you have something to say about people who make a living lying to idiots?
        Report Abuse
      • Author by bintx (March 31, 2011 5:14 pm ET)
        14 2
        Did you know that PP provides men's health care services in my city? They have a needed function.

        Heard something interesting today on the radio.

        I heard was that some police departments have started charging people for reporting to the scene of an incident/accident. Why? Because of budget cuts.

        I'm a conservative and believe in the least INTRUSIVE government possible. By intrusive, I mean that I want them to honor the freedoms granted in the Constitution. There is nothing in the Constitution which calls for a "small" government. Government has a purpose and a necessary function, that's why the Founders/framers wrote the Constitution. Without it, we would be living in complete chaos.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by Old_Benjamin (March 31, 2011 5:35 pm ET)
          10  
          I heard was that some police departments have started charging people for reporting to the scene of an incident/accident. Why? Because of budget cuts.


          WOW! I hadn't heard that, but here it is...
          Report Abuse
          • Author by foghornleghorn (March 31, 2011 5:49 pm ET)
            8  
            Not surprising since that guy in Tennessee had to watch his house burn to the ground because he forgot to pay his surcharge.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by kamrom (March 31, 2011 7:45 pm ET)
              7  
              I remember that. Didnt the fire department come by to watch it burn, to make sure the people who DID pay living nearby wouldnt have any fire damage?
              Report Abuse
              • Author by Chameo (March 31, 2011 8:17 pm ET)
                5 1
                And refused to put out the fire even when the guy who had paid his fee offered to write a check for the penalty on the spot.

                There was more to the story than that, though -- it wasn't the first time that the guy had conveniently "forgotten" about the charge until he had a fire. And there was plenty of evidence that the fire was the result of irresponsibility on the homeowner's fault.

                Regardless, it's a situation that should NEVER even be an issue. In many parts of the country, a fire in one property puts an entire city block at risk. You can't provide safety and other essential services on a fee for service or subscription fee basis, or you end up with fire departments sitting there, watching fires burn.
                Report Abuse
          • Author by Egbert Souse (April 01, 2011 8:08 am ET)
            2  
            Why do hate free enterprise?
            Report Abuse
        • Author by Tony Stark (April 01, 2011 12:00 am ET)
            14
          PP does provide a needed function. So important, in fact, that they should have made a concerted effort to work within the confines of the law at all times and practices so as to stay above any reproach or any hint of impropriety.

          Report Abuse
    • Author by FNC Liberal (March 31, 2011 5:08 pm ET)
      12 2
      Breitbart is a cancer to journalism worldwide.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by jonimacaroni1 (April 01, 2011 11:08 am ET)
        4 1
        Warning - missing troll post below.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by aBeck in 10-O-C (March 31, 2011 6:21 pm ET)
        13  
        As opposed to Bachmann or Palin or Malkin math where the figures would only be off by 1000%?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Andy Kreiss (March 31, 2011 8:26 pm ET)
          13  
          Now, don't go getting into a squirmish with mamaearth, abeck. You're probably one of them "libs" who doesn't even know the Founding Fathers abolished slavery, or that intervening in Libya might lead to going to the country of Africa.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by mary59 (March 31, 2011 11:08 pm ET)
            6  
            Or that the battles of Lexington and Concord took place in New Hampshire.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Andy Kreiss (April 01, 2011 11:30 am ET)
              5  
              I think you missed the point there, mama. We could go back and forth for years with "Oh yeah?' and " KInda Like...?". I was making fun of that sort of idiocy, you apparently want to roll around in it.

              If you were smart, you wouldn't. To compare momentary slips of the tongue like "57 states" to the Republican gaffes ( ignorance of history and geography) doesn't work out too well for you.

              How about Joe Biden ? I've never seen him make a "gaffe" that was anywhere near as dopey as the most intelligent thing ever to come out of the empty heads of most of the Tea party screech monkeys. So, what about him?

              I have never heard a liberal/progressive refer to the Constitution or Founding Fathers, in any way, form or matter, until AFTER the 2008 election.


              Glad you're out of your coma. I hear right wingers refer to these things a lot, but they don't seem to have any understanding of, or respect for, them.
              Report Abuse
      • Author by jonimacaroni1 (March 31, 2011 6:22 pm ET)
        13 4
        Off topic, offensive troll post reported.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by southernlady (March 31, 2011 6:24 pm ET)
        13 4
        What a troll. Your post has nothing to do with this topic or much of anything for that matter. If it's a smear of Obama it failed miserably.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by jonimacaroni1 (April 01, 2011 10:19 am ET)
          4 3
          I suspect that "southernlady" is a rightwing troll. I suspect it might be "right ON", a serial user of multiple screen names, mimicking my posts, echoing and praising me, with the motive to later try to claim that I'm posting using multiple screen names.

          I hope I'm wrong. I suspect I'm not. I've thought this since right after the poster started posting.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by southernlady (April 01, 2011 11:10 am ET)
            2 5
            joni, You're wrong. And I am very surprised at your suspicions. I have praised you because I agree with your posts. Perhaps that was the wrong thing to do considering you think I am dishonest or a troll.

            Report Abuse
            • Author by jonimacaroni1 (April 01, 2011 1:03 pm ET)
              4 1
              I hope I'm wrong, but I still think there's a good chance I'm right. And I was right about the accusations by "right ON". They came through one of his multiple screen names already earlier today (but after I wrote my post above).

              If you aren't a rightwing troll masquerading as a person who agrees with me, if you're really a person who agrees with me, why would it suddenly be the wrong thing to have supported what I have written, given that I had legit fears of what "right ON" would do? I think it'd be terrific if you aren't a lurker troll, and you simply agree with many of the things I've written.
              Report Abuse
          • Author by Old_Benjamin (April 01, 2011 11:56 am ET)
            6 3
            I suspect that "southernlady" is a rightwing troll. I suspect it might be "right ON", a serial user of multiple screen names, mimicking my posts, echoing and praising me, with the motive to later try to claim that I'm posting using multiple screen names.


            LOL! You really are quite full of yourself, aren't you?
            Report Abuse
            • Author by southernlady (April 01, 2011 12:13 pm ET)
              1 8
              I don't really think it's that at all. I think you're being a little unfair too. I guess I can understand where joni is coming from, a little, considering the infestation of right wing trolls and their multiple screen names around here. They appear to have poisoned the discourse to the point that these suspicions have some merit.

              I just hope people take our posts and opinions as separate and unrelated. Because we are not the same person. I know that I have no interest in doing that!
              Report Abuse
              • Author by Old_Benjamin (April 01, 2011 12:41 pm ET)
                5 3
                I don't really think it's that at all. I think you're being a little unfair too.


                Stick around - you may end up with a different perspective after a while of seeing that poster admonish anyone that doesn't follow it's dictates.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by southernlady (April 01, 2011 1:01 pm ET)
                  1 7
                  I have not seen jonimacaroni1 admonish anyone that doesn't follow her dictates, so I am not sure where you are coming up with that accusation. Strange!
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by Old_Benjamin (April 01, 2011 2:42 pm ET)
                    5 3
                    Amazing how you suddenly appeared and started defending joni (formerly delldolly). Strange!
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by southernlady (April 01, 2011 2:47 pm ET)
                      1 9
                      You also must have the same affliction for some old poster demons that you have been unable to reconcile, that's not my fault! I am not here to defend anyone, and jonimacaroni1 seems quite capable of defending herself.

                      And I didn't suddenly just appear, I did just start posting recently but you make it sound like I was lurking the shadows. It's undeniable that you some issues!
                      Report Abuse
                      • Author by pongotwistleton (April 01, 2011 2:50 pm ET)
                        5 4
                        You're not even good at this, Dolly, but it's funny. It's "undeniable" that you're a sockpuppet! And for all the complaining you do about righton using multiple screen names at once . . . tsk, tsk, Dolly.
                        Report Abuse
                      • Author by Old_Benjamin (April 01, 2011 2:58 pm ET)
                        5 3
                        jonimacaroni1 seems quite capable of defending herself.


                        Perfect - you go, you sockpuppet for dolly, I mean joni!
                        Report Abuse
                        • Author by jonimacaroni1 (April 01, 2011 3:48 pm ET)
                          2 4
                          And again, as I predicted before any accusations happened, the allegations are happening.

                          Sometimes people aren't paranoid - people really are out to get them.

                          I've never gone after you unreasonably, Old Benjamin, but you're holding a grudge. That's your problem, not mine.
                          Report Abuse
                          • Author by Old_Benjamin (April 01, 2011 3:53 pm ET)
                            5 3
                            And again, as I predicted before any accusations happened, the allegations are happening.


                            Yes, I saw where you wove quite the elaborate conspiracy theory regarding your sock puppet. I'll help you... LITHIUM.


                            I've never gone after you unreasonably, Old Benjamin, but you're holding a grudge.


                            Oh my! Delusional much?
                            Report Abuse
            • Author by jonimacaroni1 (April 01, 2011 12:52 pm ET)
              3 6
              No, actually, I'm not. And guess what? Shortly after I wrote the post above, I read where one of "right ON's" multiple screen names, "pongo-something", made that exact accusation, that "southernlady" was my sockpuppet.

              I predicted that it would happen, and it did. I suspected it last night, wrote about it today, and I was right. Sorry if that disturbs you for some reason.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by pongotwistleton (April 01, 2011 1:54 pm ET)
                5 5
                Dolly, you are certifiably insane.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by southernlady (April 01, 2011 2:16 pm ET)
                  1 9
                  And your personal attacks don't speak well for you. Just sayin!
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by pongotwistleton (April 01, 2011 2:34 pm ET)
                    5 5
                    Okay Dolly, I'll keep in mind your advice about "personal attacks." I stopped giving you thumb-downs though, in case you still get uptight about those.
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by southernlady (April 01, 2011 2:41 pm ET)
                      2 8
                      You obviously have me confused with someone named Dolly who you use to tangle with by giving her thumbs down, or something. You need to get a life!
                      Report Abuse
                      • Author by jonimacaroni1 (April 02, 2011 1:36 pm ET)
                        1 2
                        This still looks like "right ON" pretending to be a supporter of mine. It looks like "right ON" has logged in with multiple screen names to thumb down her posts (which seems likely since "pongotwistelton" got 5 thumbs up for no good reason). That's pretty crazy - discrediting the stalker/fan that they themselves created.
                        Report Abuse
          • Author by JoeSixpack (April 01, 2011 12:26 pm ET)
            6 3
            This sockpuppet hobby horse is really getting old. It makes you look obsessive and weird. It's too bad, because when your posts are on topic and relevant, they're usually pretty solid.

            It really doesn't matter how many sockpuppets someone has or does not have. We're all anonymous here anyway. This isn't a numbers game where you need to be concerned about how many people (even fake ones) agree or disagree with you. Attacking someone by using multiple identities is lame. So is complaining about it. You clearly have a talent for logically refuting b.s. If you stick with that, you'll come out ahead, no matter how many posters/trolls/sockpuppets come at you.

            Of course you're free to comment however you like - I don't dispute that for a second. I just think all this sockpuppet stuff undercuts the legitimacy of your arguments.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by southernlady (April 01, 2011 12:59 pm ET)
              1 7
              JoeSixpack, I don't agree at all. Posting under multiple screen names is dishonest and creates a false post of approval, and should be condemned by those who don't sink to that level. I appreciate when it's pointed out for that is a red flag warning to avoid dishonest debate. There is no room for that there, that is exactly what MMFA is fighting.

              And we should too!
              Report Abuse
              • Author by Old_Benjamin (April 01, 2011 3:00 pm ET)
                4 3
                Posting under multiple screen names is dishonest and creates a false post of approval, and should be condemned by those who don't sink to that level.


                And yet here you are...
                Report Abuse
                • Author by jonimacaroni1 (April 01, 2011 3:52 pm ET)
                  2 4
                  And again, as I already explained and predicted before it happened, it's an attempt by the guy who dishonestly uses multiple screen names, "right ON", to pretend that I'm guilty of the same thing that he's been proven to be guilty of. He posts under "pongo" and metanoia" and "CenterRight" and other names too. We've documented when he's been caught posting under one name but replying as though he was another poster.

                  Just wait, if "southernlady" is his sockpuppet, that'll be his next trick - replying to a post directed to me by "southernlady".
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by pongotwistleton (April 01, 2011 4:27 pm ET)
                    3 3
                    So "southernlady" is either another righton sockpuppet, or she just finds your posts so insightful that she's compelled to praise and defend you?
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by southernlady (April 01, 2011 4:31 pm ET)
                        6
                      You're a liar. I am not jonimacaroni1 or anyone's hand puppet, especially someone as dishonest as right ON 2/you!
                      Report Abuse
                  • Author by Old_Benjamin (April 01, 2011 4:49 pm ET)
                    4 2
                    And again, as I already explained and predicted before it happened


                    Hey wait a minute. Why are replying to my post which was a response to your sockpuppet... I mean southernlady?
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by southernlady (April 01, 2011 5:01 pm ET)
                        6
                      She did not do that! You lied and took what I said about multiple screen names and then directed your falsehood to joni, by saying and yet here you are. So she was answering that, and we are not the same poster. But your obsession with that certainly does nothing for how you are perceived here.
                      Report Abuse
              • Author by JoeSixpack (April 01, 2011 3:10 pm ET)
                6 3
                Fair enough, but the thing is, joni complains about sockpuppets a lot. It got boring really quickly. Frankly, I think you and a lot of others here take these comments way too seriously. Honest debate or not, this is just a tiny handful of people talking, and I can't recall a single instance in which the "debate" here has actually changed anyone's mind about anything. Here in this forum we are all very small fish in a very small pond. The efforts of Media Matters are very valuable. The efforts of the commenters... not so much. You can tell yourself otehrwise, but that won't make it so. Generally what we have here is a combination of flame war and circle jerk. I regard it as entertainment and nothing more. If you think it's more important than that, well, I think you're deluding yourself. That's your right, but don't be surprised when all your efforts here yield nothing of any lasting value.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by southernlady (April 01, 2011 3:20 pm ET)
                  3 6
                  You may not care about sockpuppets or multiple identities, or think this website is insignificant or the posters don't matter, but I don't agree! Maybe joni has every right to complain about sockpuppets if she has been on the receiving end of their dishonesty, and maybe you would share her disgust at that practice if you had the same experiences she must have had here. I don't know your history or hers, I just know what I find objectionable in a public forum.
                  Report Abuse
      • Author by RKAllen (March 31, 2011 6:55 pm ET)
        9  
        Let me get this right... Breitbart claims Planned Parenthood does not provide Mammogram eaminations... According to your post, they do and that would make Brietbart either inaccurate or lying in his website's reporting!
        Report Abuse
        • Author by kamrom (March 31, 2011 7:48 pm ET)
          8  
          He's a person who still thinks a misquote from the 2008 election is a cunning jab. You're not gonna get any shame out of him. If these guys had any such shame, they wouldnt keep coming here and getting thrashed.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by Chameo (March 31, 2011 8:21 pm ET)
        3  
        Let me get this straight. You don't understand the difference between being offered and being covered. That pretty much defines your level of understanding of the subject -- and the rest of your comment is completely irrelevant.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by grayguy (March 31, 2011 9:41 pm ET)
        4
      OK. That's one. Any more? Do a majority of PP's offer mammograms?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by jonimacaroni1 (April 01, 2011 3:54 pm ET)
        2  
        The issue is the Waco site, which MediaMatters used as an example of a site that provides access to mammograms. They do. The issue isn't if the majority of PP sites offer them.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Maimon (March 31, 2011 11:27 pm ET)
      4  
      Wow,Breitbart got facts wrong? I'm shocked next thing you know Fox will tell me teachers are "fatcat" elitists.

      I would be more shocked if Breitbart got something right.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by txthinker (April 01, 2011 9:54 am ET)
      2  
      Breitbart Is Wrong
      All you need is the first three words in the headline, and it pretty much sums up Andrew Not-So-Brightbart's position on virtually every subject.
      Report Abuse