Planned Parenthood Of Indiana To Close Five Clinics Because Of Funding Cuts

Planned Parenthood of Indiana announced on Sunday that it will close five health clinics over the next six months due to the loss of federal grant money, the AP/Indiana Business Journal reports. According to a statement from PPIN, the five health centers -- in Anderson, Franklin, Kokomo, Shelbyville and Indianapolis -- serve about 8,500 patients. None of the clinics offers abortion services. At a time when more people are without jobs or health insurance, "we are very concerned that these funding changes will dramatically reduce" the number of residents who will be served, the statement said.

PPIN said it expects to lose some federal grants administered by the Indiana State Department of Health that were used to cover the costs of some patient care. In October, the not-for-profit Indiana Family Health Council will take over administering $2 million in grants, some of which previously went to PPIN, and will require clinics that receive funds to charge women on an income-based sliding fee scale. Gayla Winston, the council's president, said that the lowest-income women will receive exams, lab work and contraceptives at no cost.

PPIN said the changes also will affect clinics that are not closing. The organization decided that "many of our sites must now become fully self-sustaining, or independent, because of the restrictions placed on funding," according to the statement. PPIN offers abortion services at other clinics in Bloomington, Merrillville and Indianapolis (AP/Indiana Business Journal, 9/6).

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