We have explored the issues surrounding corporate strategic alliances, mergers, and affiliations in healthcare organizations. Regulatory changes, consumer demands, and escalating healthcare costs have resulted in an increased movement toward strategic alliances among healthcare entities. In the past, the U.S. healthcare system has operated in a fragmented fashion. One way healthcare businesses are increasing survival rates is to partner with others in the community or the region to become stronger. Choose a healthcare entity that you are familiar with or would like to work for and in your initial post address the following prompts: Identify another industry or entity that you believe your chosen healthcare entity can merge with, develop a strategic alliance with, or create an affiliation with. Explain your choices. Discuss why the merger, strategic alliance , or affiliation might be benenficial to a healthcare organization