DALLAS (Standard&Poor's) Feb. 14, 2007--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'AA' long-term rating and underlying rating (SPUR) on Ascension Health, Mo.'s roughly $3.7 billion revenue bonds (various series and issuers), and 'AA-' long-term rating on Ascension's $592.83 million series 2005A subordinated revenue bonds. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'A-1+' short-term rating on Ascension's CP program and on its various variable-rate demand bonds (VRDBs). The outlook is stable. "A higher rating or outlook revision on Ascension's debt is possible if the system's demonstrated strength in fiscal 2007 is sustained and leads to continued balance sheet improvement," said Standard&Poor's credit analyst Kevin Holloran. "Ascension Health's many credit strengths provide considerable flexibility even as
