Standard&Poor's Ratings Services has affirmed its 'A' long-term rating and underlying rating (SPUR) on various series of Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority's health care revenue bonds, issued for University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS). The outlook is stable. In addition, Standard&Poor's affirmed the authority's series 2008A-2008E variable-rate bonds, which are based on Standard&Poor's low correlation joint criteria, in which the long-term ratings are jointly based on the bank-supported letter of credit (LOC) and UMMS underlying rating, and the short-term ratings are based solely on the bank. The details of the series 2008A-2008E bonds are as follows: Series 2008A affirmed at 'AAA/A-2', with an LOC provided by Citizens Bank of PA (A-/A-2) Series
