NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Sept. 28, 2005--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services raised its rating to 'A+' from 'A' on Maryland Health and Higher Education Facilities Authority's $410.655 million in outstanding debt, issued for the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS). Additionally, Standard&Poor's assigned its 'A+' rating to the authority's $152.5 million health revenue bonds, series 2005, also issued for UMMS. The outlook is stable. The series 2005 bonds are expected to be sold with 'AAA' rated bond insurance, in which case, upon issuance of the bond insurance, the 'A' rating will convert to an underlying rating (SPUR). "UMMS has had several years of favorable financial performance and cash flow generation that has contributed to a continued growth
