Labor unions and leaders spoke out against New York-Presbyterian Hospital Thursday, demanding protection for affordable maternity care for mothers in underserved communities.

Chanting and marching from City Hall Park to the hospital, the Coalition for Affordable Hospitals called for an end to skyrocketing prices that makes it hard for mothers to receive the care they need. The group also demanded for the hospital to upgrade its health care programs to help improve outcomes for at-risk mothers and their babies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 700 people die from pregnancy or birthing complications each year, with Black women being three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women.

Organizers said they're hoping to close racial gaps in maternal health care, while also bringing down high hospital prices to make healthcare accessible for more New Yorkers.

The group also pushed for the Hospital Equity and Affordability law to be passed. It said the bill would keep hospitals from making deals with insurers that would raise the cost of health care.