JACKSON, Mich. (AP) – Jackson-based Allegiance Health says it plans to join Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System as part of a new affiliation agreement. Following a letter of intent announced Tuesday, the health systems say they plan to expand in scope and scale, making them better positioned to serve their patients and communities. With the deal, Allegiance Health expects to get access to new state-of-the-art technologies. Allegiance Health and Henry Ford says they’ll seek necessary regulatory approvals and seek to finalize an agreement in the first quarter of 2016. Under the proposed new structure, Allegiance Health leaders and local community leaders will continue to represent local interests. Allegiance Health is a 480-bed community-owned health system. Henry Ford is a five-hospital system with numerous other locations.
