DALLAS (Standard&Poor's) March 24, 2008--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned an 'A-1+' short-term rating to Ascension Health, Mo.'s $713.175 million bonds (Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority's $253.4 million 2003B1, B2, B7, and B8 series, Missouri Health and Education Facilities Authority's $222.625 million 2003C1, C2, C4 and C5 series, and Indiana Health Facilities Financing Authority's $237.150 million 2003E1-E4 series) to reflect a mode change to variable-rate demand obligations. The bonds were previously issued as auction rate bonds and are being converted to weekly mode, supported by Ascension Health's own self-liquidity. "As a result these bonds will now carry a dual rating of 'AA/A-1+'," said Standard&Poor's credit analyst Martin Arrick. Standard&Poor's also affirmed the long-term 'AA'
