Leaders from two of Texas' largest not-for-profit health systems announced Oct. 1 plans to merge and form a consolidated health system serving over 30 Texas counties in the Austin, Dallas and Houston areas. Baylor Scott & White Health and Memorial Hermann Health System leaders hosted a press conference in Dallas on Oct. 1 to discuss the systems' letter of intent followed by an exclusive phone conversation with Community Impact Newspaper. Jim Hinton, CEO of Baylor Scott & White Health, Chuck Stokes, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System, Deborah Cannon, chair of the Memorial Hermann Health System Board of Directors and Ross McKnight, chair of the Baylor Scott & White Holdings Board of Trustees answered questions about how the merge will affect current and future employees, patients and Texas residents, including those enrolled in or interesting in enrolling in the two system's health insurance plans.