Long Island College Hospital officials say they may be forced to shutter several units - including the maternity ward - and shed jobs because of a budget shortfall.

LICH's corporate parent, Continuum Health Partners, says the hospital runs an operating debt of $40 million and says the cuts are needed for it to survive. Corporate officials project 150-200 job losses.

Local elected officials say Continuum needs to work with the community to find a better solution. "It definitely appears Continuum is trying to bleed this hospital to death," says Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

A spokesman for Continuum told News 12 Brooklyn that "there will almost assuredly be staff reductions as a result of eliminating departments. We will try to place some of the staff in other positions that are vacant at LICH or other Continuum hospitals."