NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) May 30, 2001—Standard&Poor's today affirmed its triple-'B' rating on South Dakota Health and Education Facilities Authority $10.241 million revenue bonds, issued for Huron Regional Medical Center (HRMC). The rating reflects the hospital's: -- Narrow revenue base, -- Small medical staff, and -- Shallow economic base. Offsetting credit factors include the hospital's: -- Dominant market position, -- Strong historic financial performance, and -- Strong and improving liquidity position. The bonds are secured by a gross revenue pledge and a mortgage on the facilities. Since 1998, HRMC's operating and excess margins have averaged 6.5% and 11.6%, respectively. Operating and excess margins for 2000 were 6.0% and 11.7%, respectively. The financial performance for the six
