NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 20, 2001--Standard&Poor's today assigned its 'A-1'-plus rating to Ascension Health, Mo.'s $50 million taxable commercial paper, series B. In addition, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'A-1'-plus rating on Ascension's outstanding commercial paper. The new and existing notes are issued on parity with Ascension's outstanding debt (double-'A' long-term rating). Salomon Smith Barney Inc. is the dealer, and the Bankers Trust Co. will act as the issuing and paying agent. Liquidity support for the series B notes is provided directly by Ascension Health ('A-1'-plus short-term rating), through its short-term and long-term investment pools. Standard&Poor's has assessed both the credit quality and the liquidity of fixed-income assets held in the short-term and long-term
