Planned Parenthood of Indiana has received thousands of dollars in donations after a bill signed early last week by Governor Mitch Daniels made Indiana the first state in the nation to cut state and federal funding for the organization. Over $50,000 has been donated by people in 44 states and countries such as Belgium and the United Kingdom.
The organization says it serves over 9,000 Medicaid patients at its 28 clinics in Indiana. Donations are expected to enable centers to serve Medicaid patients through the end of May.
Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) said in a statement that the donations are being used for pap tests, breast exams, STI testing and treatment, and birth control. Betty Cockrum, president of PPIN, said “Let’s be clear: this is a temporary fix, and these one-time donations will not continue indefinitely. We’re getting donations because people are outraged – as they should be.”
In addition to prohibiting the organization from receiving reimbursement from Medicaid for services provided to Medicaid patients, the bill bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless a woman’s life or health is substantially threatened. PPIN has filed an injunction stating that the legislation is unconstitutional and violates federal law, and is expected to be heard by the U.S. District Court in Indianapolis in June.
