NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 9, 2011--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services has raised the short-term rating component on Maryland Health&Higher Educational Facilities Authority's series 2008A variable-rate bonds issued for University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) to 'AAA/A-1' from 'AAA/A-2'. The higher short-term rating component is based on the rating revision of the letter of credit (LOC) provider Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania to 'A/A-1' from 'A-/A-2' (see "Citizens Financial Group's Bank Subsidiaries Ratings Raised To 'A/A-1'; Outlook Is Stable," published Nov. 30, 2011, on RatingsDirect on the Global Credit Portal. In addition, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'A', 'AAA/A-1', and 'AAA/A-1+' ratings on various bonds issued by the authority for UMMS. The outlook on all ratings is stable.
