NEW YORK -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire Feb. 9, 1999 -- Standard&Poor's today assigned its single-'A'-plus rating to North Carolina Medical Care Commission, N.C.'s $121.57 million revenue bonds series 1999, issued for New Hanover Regional Medical Center. The bonds are expected to sell Feb. 17, 1999. The rating reflects its: -- Role as the dominant health system in Wilmington and southeastern North Carolina; -- Historically good utilization and operating statistics; -- Strategic management; and -- Strong financial performance. Offsetting factors include a sizable increase in debt and satisfactory levels of liquidity. Proceeds will primarily finance the hospital's acquisition of Cape Fear Hospital, also in Wilmington, from Columbia/HCA Corp. in November 1998. The $98 million purchase price for this
