Matrix to offer medical aid to women

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - As Planned Parenthood fights to keep Medicaid funding, many local groups have said they can fill the gaps left by the provider. One group in particular, Matrix Pregnancy Resource Center, will soon be offering several medical services.

Matrix Executive Director Melissa McAtee said the programs at Matrix are filling the needs of many that may find themselves pregnant unexpectedly. McAtee said the Christian, pro-life resource center has always seen a need to reach out to pregnant women weighing their options.

"I think the gap is there no matter what happens on Monday, and I think we'll see a definite increase with patients coming in for those services," said McAtee.

McAtee said Matrix offers counseling and social services at the moment. She said by the end of summer the resource center will be offering STD and HIV testing, pap smears, and some pre-natal care. She said those services will be offered free of charge, and should help meet the void left by Planned Parenthood's funding loss.

"We offer social services and we'll be adding medical services. We're just adding more to the community and we saw a need to fill that gap, prior to even before this legislature stuff was going on," said McAtee.

McAtee said it's too early yet to tell if the resource center will absorb many of those that use Planned Parenthood's services. Carlee Dawodu and her husband recently began a ministry group geared toward supporting pregnant women. She said there has been an increase in expectant mothers choosing life, and asking for aid.

"I definitely think we've seen more moms asking for help. A lot of moms want ongoing support. We had a mom that contacted our church this week, we had a mom that contacted our church a couple weeks ago. So both of those referrals came from moms that were seeking life-affirming alternatives, and life-affirming options," said Dawodu.

McAtee said one thing Matrix will not be offering is birth control pills to clients, she said they do offer abstinence classes.