SPRINGFIELD — Nurses at Mercy Medical Center are questioning the hospital’s claim that it needs to close its maternity center next month because it has been unable to recruit health care providers.

In an online speakout Thursday, they said Mercy’s owner, Trinity Health, wasn’t willing to pay enough to land good candidates. They also challenge the institution’s statement that the closing of the Family Life Center is “temporary,” arguing that the hospital is taking deliberate steps to end maternity and birthing services that serve Springfield’s poorest residents.

The hospital announced early this month that starting Dec. 8, it will no longer provide in-patient maternity and newborn services and will redirect patients to Baystate Medical Center. That news came as a surprise to nurses on t

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