Boston Medical Center, Tufts in merger talks

Boston Medical Center and Tufts Medical Center are considering a merger, a deal that, if approved, would be the biggest union of Boston teaching hospitals in nearly two decades. A merger would link two nonprofit hospitals that both treat many low-income patients and have endured financial struggles. BMC, the state's largest "safety net" hospital, has an especially high number of patients on Medicaid, the government health insurance program for the poor. Tufts has tried to carve a place for itself in a city rich with world-renowned hospitals. Tufts and BMC confirmed Wednesday that they are discussing a merger but declined to detail when an agreement might be reached or how it would be implemented.