Outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Mishawaka, the sign on the marquee says their people and services are "still here." But the big question: for how long?
"We did hold on as long as we could," said Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana. "The last thing we ever want to do is shut our doors to any of our patients."
More than 9,000 Medicaid patients will feel shut-out. WSBT News talked to Cockrum on the phone.
She said going forward: The organization will not be able to see Medicaid patients free of charge. The reason: more than $100,000 dollars in donations have been exhausted.
"For our staff to make those phone calls to medicaid patients scheduled today, tomorrow into the next few days, it's hard on the staff, it's hard on the patients. we sure hope they stick with us," she said.
Medicaid patients can continue receiving their services at Planned Parenthood, however, it will be on their own dime.
Cockrum said Planned Parenthood has been forced to make some difficult decisions. Now the organization must resort to layoffs.
Two Disease Intervention Specialists lost their jobs Tuesday. On Wednesday, all but one of the Planned Parenthood locations in Indiana including the Grape Road location will shut their doors for a mandatory furlough day.
The Indianapolis location will close for a furlough day on Thursday.
"We'll continue to do whatever we can to minimize the adverse impact on patients and staff," said Cockrum.
Cockrum said all the organization can do now is wait for a US District Court judge to make a decision on an injunction.
If the judge does not issue a ruling by July 1st, Planned Parenthood will have to close almost a dozen locations throughout the state, including a clinic in Michigan City.
