The hospital, now down to a bed capacity of 1,420, is seeking to reduce its load further, to 800 by 1992.

Several other hospitals are seeking to reverse the commission's decision.

The hospital is seeking $15 million in Federal funds to help pay for the construction of both new facilities.

For years, the nation's doctors and hospitals have been seeking relief from Federal antitrust laws.

Additionally, the hospital seeks to embed itself in the local community.

Beyond that, Brownsville's two hospitals seek to have all patients pay for their care.

The hospital is still seeking new donors to complete the project.

The hospital is also seeking rights from the city to add 720,000 square feet of biomedical research space on its campus.

Yesterday, the union and the hospital sought the help of a federal mediator.

He said the hospital is seeking state approval to offer that.