A new policy after the amalgamation of two downtown Toronto hospitals has confirmed some people's fears about changes in the health care system.

A Roman Catholic hospital, St. Michael's, has taken over administration of the nearby Wellesley hospital. It's part of the Ontario government's sweeping plan to streamline health care in urban centres.

This week St. Michael's announced that Wellesley will no longer offer abortions, vasectomies and other birth control procedures.

Critics are worried that the decision means there will be reduced access to birth control procedures in the province.

The Ontario Coalition of Abortion Clinics says access to abortion has always been a problem, and the government isn't providing funding for any more free-standing clinics.

Women's groups say they'll launch a legal challenge to the new policy at Wellesley.