Wisconsin Planned Parenthood Halts Abortions Amidst New State Regulations
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has ceased providing abortion services at several of its clinics due to a recent state rule that the institution argues creates unacceptable legal risks for providers. The decision raises concerns about access to abortion care even in states where it remains legal, and highlights a shifting landscape in reproductive healthcare access.
Danika Severino Wynn, a representative for Planned Parenthood, stated the organization is committed to finding a way to continue offering abortion care in Wisconsin where legally permissible. Though, she accused the current governance of attempting to restrict access to services offered by Planned Parenthood.
According to Severino Wynn, over 40 Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide have closed since the beginning of 2025. This closure, coupled with increasing difficulties in accessing clinics, is impacting patients seeking abortion care.
Recent data from the Guttmacher Institute,a research organization supporting abortion rights,indicates a decrease in the number of people traveling out of state for abortions in 2025. Researchers believe this is partially due to the growing challenge of locating clinics, even in states with legal protections for abortion. However, the Guttmacher Institute does not believe this signifies a reduction in the overall number of abortions performed.
Instead, the data suggests a rise in the use of telehealth for medication abortion. This involves receiving a prescription from a medical professional, potentially across state lines, and obtaining abortion medication via mail. Isabel DoCampo, a researcher at the Guttmacher Institute, explained that telehealth offers a more accessible option for many patients, avoiding the financial, emotional, and logistical burdens of interstate travel.
Despite the increased reliance on telehealth, reproductive rights advocates caution that its future is uncertain. Mary Ziegler, a law professor at University of California Davis specializing in reproductive rights, emphasized the vulnerability of this system to legal challenges.
The government is currently reviewing the safety and efficacy of mifepristone, a commonly used abortion medication, as announced by Health Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr. This review occurs despite existing research demonstrating the medication’s safety and effectiveness.Ziegler points out that telehealth abortion services have developed within a context of ongoing legal and political uncertainty, making them susceptible to disruption.
“There’s been this entire model of care that’s grown up in the shadow of this great legal and political uncertainty,” Ziegler stated.She questioned where patients would turn if telehealth options where eliminated, notably if brick-and-mortar clinics continue to close, even in states where abortion remains legal.
