HUNTINGTON — Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center, the city’s two biggest employers, are discussing a possible “affiliation.”

Huntington’s two major hospitals have been having and continue to have talks about the association, according to Doug Sheils, director of strategic marketing at Cabell Huntington.

Officials expect to provide more details in the near future, he said.

The news was met with no significant comment from St. Mary’s Medical Center spokesman Doug Korstanje. He said all media statements concerning the matter are being coordinated by Cabell Huntington.

The two hospitals were part of an affiliation once before known as Genesis. It began in 1998 and ended in 2002.

Marianne Kapinos, general counsel for the state Health Care Authority, said her agency would have to approve any affiliation that changed the control of either hospital.

Such a process would begin with a letter of intent. The agency had not received such a letter as of Monday, Kapinos said…