Uncle Sam was present, along with a makeshift choir singing "O Tidings of Capital Gains," as 50 people attended a rally in Braddock to support continued operation of the House of Hope.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center announced last month that it would close the program that provides services for pregnant women with addictions. But UPMC reversed course last week after receiving a battery of criticism for its decision.

It announced continuation of the program under the authority of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC at a new location yet to be identified.

Ed Cloonan, a Munhall labor activist who organized the rally in front of the House of Hope, said UPMC should open similar programs throughout Allegheny County. He and others also questioned whether UPMC's focus was profits over patients, with an overriding rally theme supporting a national single-payer health care system.

The rally on Holland Avenue was held in the rain, but Mr. Cloonan called it "a perfect day."

"Most of us have sunny lives, but UPMC wants to take people who are living in cloudy and rainy weather every day and take this away from them," he said. "This is all about disparities in society brought on by the profits driving health care providers."

WPIC President Claudia Roth said improving access and location "are of utmost concern."

"Since we plan to enhance this program and make it accessible to more women seeking addiction services, we are collaborating with our dedicated community partners to identify an ideal location that can accommodate more women and children as well as expanded services," she said.

Rally speakers also included state Sen. James Ferlo, D-Highland Park; activist Molly Rush; religious and community leaders; and Arik Morgan, a North Braddock woman who gave birth to her son while at the House of Hope in 2004. The program helped her battle addiction and turn her life around.

"They should keep running what already works," Ms. Morgan said.