(CNN) A Michigan health system has acknowledged it's preparing for hard life-and-death decisions after a hospital letter was circulated online detailing who would be able to receive life-saving resources during the coronavirus pandemic if there's not enough equipment.

A spokesman for the Henry Ford Health System told CNN the "letter is part of a larger policy document developed for an absolute worst-case scenario."

"It is not an active policy within Henry Ford, but it is part of our emergency response planning," the spokesman said.

The letter has not been shared with patients, but aims to explain that the coronavirus pandemic has made some medical supplies hard to find.

"Because of shortages, we will need to be careful with resources," reads the letter, which is addressed to patients, families and the community. "Patients who have the best chance of getting better are our first priority."

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