At least 17 abortion clinics have closed in states where abortion remains legal

Planned Parenthood of Michigan is closing four of its health centers in the state, citing financial challenges.

The closures are part of a growing trend: At least 17 clinics closed last year in states where abortion remains legal.

Experts say the closures indicate that financial and operational challenges, rather than future legal bans, may be the biggest threats to abortion access.

Planned Parenthood Association of Utah announced it closed two centers as of May 2 .

Earlier this spring , the Trump administration began temporarily freezing funds to many clinics, including all Title X providers in California , Hawaii , Maine , Mississippi , Missouri , Montana , and Utah .

The rise of telehealth abortion has put “new pressures in the older-school brick-and-mortar facilities,” a professor says.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan says telehealth cannot bridge every gap.

About 80% of clinician-provided abortions are still done by brick-and-mortar clinics.

Telehealth has its advantages, but for a lot of health problems, it’s just not a safe or realistic way to take care of people, doctor says.