Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'A-1+' short-term rating to Ascension Health, Mo.'s taxable, extendible CP (ECP) notes and affirmed its 'A-1+' rating on the system's traditional taxable CP notes. The rating is based on Ascension Health's: 'AA' long-term rating; Strong record of capital market access; and Good levels of liquidity, including a short-term fund that provides support for the ECP program. The 'AA' long-term rating on Ascension Health's bonds was very recently affirmed; for more information on Ascension Health's credit characteristics, please refer to the full analysis published March 7, 2006 on RatingsDirect. The long-term rating reflects: Excellent geographic and financial dispersion, as the largest nongovernmental not-for-profit health system in the country; Robust operating profitability and cash flow,
