More state lawmakers are joining the opposition to UMass Memorial Health's decision to close a birthing center in Leominster.

State Reps. Robyn Kennedy and Mary Keefe joined members of the north-central Massachusetts delegation at a press conference Monday. The lawmakers say they're concerned about how the closure will affect local hospitals as they take on families no longer able to use the birthing center.

"One fetal or maternal death, that will undoubtedly occur if this closure proceeds, is too many,” said Tara Corey, a RN at Leominster Hospital, at Monday’s press conference. “Myself, along with all of my nursing colleagues, have been fighting for our community and our patients for four long months. We are fully prepared to continue working at the Leominster Hospital birthing center beyond September 23rd.

“We are committed to bringing more new lives into the world in a safe mother-baby focused unit our community deserves. We are asking the governor and the Department of Public Health to stop this callous plan from proceeding and to please help us lead labor in Leominster."

Monday was the deadline UMass Memorial Health was due to respond to the Department of Public Health on how they'd provide a safe alternative for those impacted after the state rejected their initial plan.

The hospital system says they still plan to close the center on Sept 23. They'll provide curb-to-curb transportation for patients needing non-emergency maternity services and will invest more than 600-thousand dollars for prenatal and postpartum care.