Wednesday brought big news for the 38,000 employees working for Beaumont Health. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Beaumont Health and Advocate Aurora Health announced Wednesday that the two health systems are exploring a potential partnership.The organizations say they signed a non-binding letter of intent that paves the way to deeper discussions to create a leading health care system that would span across Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. We are excited to explore this option with an organization as highly regarded as Advocate Aurora Health known for their track record in health outcomes, population health and consumer experience, said John Fox, president and chief executive officer, Beaumont Health, in a news release. Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care organizations merged in 2018 to create Advocate Aurora Health. The health systems say they will work closely with state and regulatory agencies throughout the process, which began with notifications to all three Attorneys General earlier this week. Advocate Aurora Health is one of the 10 largest not-for-profit, integrated health systems in the United States and a leading employer in the Midwest with more than 70,000 employees.

Wednesday brought big news for the 38,000 employees working for Beaumont Health. READ: Beaumont Health announces plan for partnership with Advocate Aurora HealthBeaumont announced it is in merger talks with Advocate Aurora Health, a major health care system in other parts of the Midwest. Advocate Aurora has a strong presence in Illinois and Wisconsin -- the merger could change the face of health care in Metro Detroit. Beaumont has 38,000 employees and Advocate Aurora has about 70,000. Beaumont serves about 178,000 inpatient discharges and Aurora works with an estimated 3 million patients a year.