On June 17, Michigan-based Beaumont Health and Advocate Aurora Health, based in Illinois and Wisconsin, signed a non-binding letter of intent to explore a potential merger. Previous discussions between Beaumont and Advocate Aurora began near the end of 2019 before pausing due to COVID-19, and the parties are ready to resume discussions to develop a health care system that would span Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. As part of the potential merger, the organizations have agreed to an equal governance among Beaumont Health, legacy Advocate Health Care, and Aurora Health Care in any future agreement. The latter two organizations merged in 2018 to create Advocate Aurora Health.