After several delays, Jefferson County officials now say Cooper Green Mercy Hospital will discontinue inpatient and emergency room service on Dec. 31. Acute care patients will be moved to other hospitals and starting January 1st, Cooper Green will operate as an urgent care facility. It will be open every day from 8 a.m. to midnight and all outpatient clinics will continue operating. 200 people will lose their jobs.

The Birmingham News reports the county’s chief financial officer predicts another $10 million shortfall for Cooper Green for fiscal year 2011. Supporters of the hospital have vowed to continue protesting the closure. They say they’ll take their fight to the legislature.