No ruling on Planned Parenthood funding

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) - Planned Parenthood still has no answer on whether the injunction that would halt a state bill defunding the organization will be granted.

The preliminary injunction hearing was held in US district court.

Judge Tanya Pratt said she will make her decision by July 1, if not sooner. But that decision could come too late for some Planned Parenthood centers.

"We would love to see a ruling by June 20th, so we don't have to make that very tough decision to disassociate our patients from Planned Parenthood services," said Planned Parenthood of Indiana President Betty Cockrum.
 

Cockrum said if Medicaid funding isn't restored by June 20, several clinics will be forced to close their doors.

Cockrum said the Lafayette facility should not be one of the eight on the chopping block, should the injunction not be granted.

"I think the Lafayette health center is in pretty solid shape. Again, we're concerned that we would have to close these health centers, and we'll do everything we can to avoid it," said Cockrum.

Cockrum said over 9,000 patients would lose the ability to receive services at Planned Parenthood, if Medicaid funds are not restored. Cockrum said Planned Parenthood has been able to continue to see patients because of monetary donations totaling over $100,000 from donors across 46 states, and two continents. Cockrum said she's optimistic about a good outcome for the healthcare provider.

The state argued that the answer to receiving Medicaid funding again is easy, Planned Parenthood should separate their women's clinics from any abortion clinics. Indiana Right to Life representative Sue Swayze said this is something the pro-life community would like to see as a start.

"They can provide women's healthcare services and not miss a beat, and than they can have abortions-'r-us in another place. If they were to separate those cost centers, separate those operational costs, that is what we would be looking for," said Swayze.

The struggle between Planned Parenthood and the state of Indiana has grabbed national attention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has told the state the legislation in question is illegal because it stops Medicaid patients from receiving services from their provider of choice. Swayze said there are other provider options for the women of Indiana.

"Why is it with government provided services we don't want them to have to change providers? This is the state providing healthcare too, just like any other healthcare provider. In fact Medicaid has become more portable," said Swayze.

ACLU lawyer, Ken Falk, the representative for Planned Parenthood argued the state could lose millions in Medicaid funding for the entire state of Indiana if the injunction is not granted.