NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 2, 2009--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'A' long-term rating to Maryland Health and Higher Education Facilities Authority's $250 million series 2010 revenue and refunding bonds, issued for University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS). In addition, Standard&Poor's affirmed its ratings and underlying ratings (SPURs) on various series of bonds issued for UMMS totaling $575.0 million. The 'A' rating reflects UMMS's role as one of Maryland's (general obligation debt rating; 'AAA') leading health systems that benefits from the strong relationship of its physician faculty who all hold appointments at the University System of Maryland ('AA+') medical school. Also supporting the rating are UMMS's very strong patient utilization trends with annual admissions exceeding
