NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) May 8, 2008--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'A' underlying rating (SPUR) to Maryland Health and Higher Education Facilities Authority's $280 million series 2008A-E hospital revenue bonds, issued for University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS). In addition, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'A' standard long-term and underlying ratings (SPUR) on UMMS existing rated debt. The series 2008A-E bonds will refund in full (when combined with approximately $65 million of unused bond proceeds) approximately $350 million of series 2006B, 2006C, and 2006D auction-rate bonds, insured by Financial Guaranty Insurance Co. (FGIC) and series 2006E, 2006F FGIC-insured variable-rate demand bonds (VRDBs). The standard long-term rating on the series 2008A, 2008B, 2008C, 2008D, and 2008E VRDBs will
