In Indiana, one of the nation’s most restrictive and backward anti-abortion laws has just been signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels, and a provision of the law that took effect this week also blocks Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood. Note that Planned Parenthood is already prohibited from using federal funds for abortions — so this measure is targeted against contraception and general health services, not abortions.

So this week, Planned Parenthood was forced by the Republican Party to start denying health services to thousands of low-income women and men.

INDIANAPOLIS – Thousands of low-income Planned Parenthood of Indiana patients were left fending for themselves Tuesday to pay for birth control, breast exams, Pap tests and other medical services while a court battle continued over a new state law that eliminated the organization’s Medicaid funding.

Planned Parenthood began turning away Medicaid patients who couldn’t pay for its medical services Tuesday, one day after private donations that had paid those patients’ bills ran out.

A state law that took effect May 10 denied Planned Parenthood the Medicaid funds it uses to pay for general health services it provides to low-income women at its 28 Indiana clinics. The group is seeking a preliminary injunction to block Indiana’s law, and a ruling is expected by July 1.

As Planned Parenthood awaits that ruling, the group said about 9,300 Medicaid patients — both women and men enrolled in the state-federal health insurance program for low-income and disabled people — are now facing “disrupted” medical services under the state’s law.