Standard&Poor's Ratings Services revised its rating outlook on all of Ascension Health, Mo.'s debt, issued by various issuers, to positive from stable, reflecting Ascension Health's position as the largest non-governmental, not-for-profit health system in the country; coupled with Ascension Health's very strong cash flow, established operating performance, and sizeable unrestricted reserves. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'AA' long-term rating and underlying rating (SPUR) on Ascension Health's roughly $3.7 billion in revenue bonds (various series and issuers), as well as its 'AA-' long-term rating on Ascension Health's $601.0 million series 2005A subordinated revenue bonds. Standard&Poor's also affirmed its 'A-1+' short-term rating on Ascension Health's CP programs and on its various variable-rate demand bonds.
