Northeast Georgia Health System and Habersham Medical Center are again talking about a possible partnership.

A non-binding letter of intent was made public Tuesday between Habersham Medical and the Gainesville-based health system for a possible agreement on shared resources and services.

A similar letter of intent expired in 2014.

“We have had ongoing discussions with the Habersham County Hospital Authority and Habersham County Commission for the past several years about the strategic direction and future of Habersham Medical Center, and we are very pleased that those discussions have ultimately concluded with this letter of intent,” said Northeast Georgia Health System President and CEO Carol Burrell in a news release. “HMC is a natural strategic fit with NGHS due to our contiguous service region and the many clinical partnerships already in existence. We are excited about what the future holds as we work together even more seamlessly for the benefit of our shared patients.”

Serving 80,000 residents in Habersham County and the surrounding area, Habersham Medical also operates a nursing facility and an agency for hospital-based home health providers, according to the news release.

In 2014, Habersham Medical Center was struggling to pay off $37 million in bonds for improvements to the emergency room and outpatient surgery areas.

Reaching a new agreement is expected to take up to 12 months.