Residents are being urged to use an under-capacity hospital if they want to ensure its long-term security.
Braintree Community Hospital, in Chadwick Drive, is currently running at half-capacity, despite being praised by inspectors in a report published this month.
But NHS bosses dismissed suggestions GPs had a financial incentive to send patients to other hospitals.
Serco is pulling out of its hospital management contract in December, warning it expects to post large financial losses.
About 100 concerned residents packed into Braintree Town Hall on Tuesday for the annual general meeting of the Friends of Braintree Community Hospital group.
See today's Times for the full story
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here