Health care workers, community activists and politicians are decrying the imminent shutdown of Brooklyn's Interfaith Medical Center.
Participants at a rally in Bedford-Stuyvesant on Thursday said they're willing to embrace changes. They're open to the possibility of a merger with neighboring facilities like Brooklyn Hospital.
Interfaith has had financial troubles for years.
It recently put forward a restructuring plan which was rejected by the state health department.
Public Advocate and mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio joined the rally. He says a report shows 175,000 Brooklynites would be forced to travel up to three miles further to their nearest emergency room if Interfaith closes.
Assemblywoman Annette Robinson says the community won't give up without a fight.
Interfaith is due to close its doors on Oct. 15.
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