Standard&Poor's Ratings Services raised its long-term rating and underlying rating (SPUR) on Maryland Health&Higher Educational Facilities Authority's revenue bonds, issued for The Johns Hopkins Health System Obligated Group (JHHS) to 'AA-' from 'A+' based on its assessment of the system's increasing financial strength and growing geographic diversity. In addition, Standard&Poor's raised its rating on JHMI Utilities LLC's debt to 'AA-' from 'A+' based on a parity guarantee of JHHS, and raised its rating on JHHS's series 2003A lease revenue bonds to 'A+' from 'A'. We also affirmed our 'AAA/A-1' ratings on the series 2008A bonds issued for the JHHS obligated group and series 2008 bonds issued for Howard County General Hospital (guaranteed by the
