Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'AA' long-term rating and 'AA' underlying rating (SPUR) on Ascension Health, Mo.'s roughly $3.7 billion in revenue bonds (various series and issuers), as well as the 'AA-' long-term rating on Ascension's $604.8 million series 2005A subordinated revenue bonds. Standard&Poor's also affirmed its 'A-1+' short-term rating on Ascension's CP programs and on its various variable-rate demand bonds (VRDBs). The 'AA' long-term rating reflects Ascension Health's: Excellent geographic and financial dispersion as the largest non-governmental not-for-profit health system in the country; Another year of robust financial performance in fiscal 2006, highlighted by improved operating and excess income and cash flow, and followed by extraordinary financial performance (unaudited) through the second quarter of fiscal
