DALLAS (Standard&Poor's) May 4, 2011--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services raised its long-term rating to 'AA+' from 'AA' on Ascension Health, Mo.'s senior revenue bonds (various series and issuers) and raised its long-term rating to 'AA' from 'AA-' on Ascension Health's series 2005A subordinated revenue bonds. The outlook on all ratings is stable. The 'AA+' long-term component of the senior revenue bond rating is based on Ascension Health's credit quality, while the 'A-1+' short-term component of the rating is based on Ascension Health's self-liquidity. The 'AA+' long-term component of the rating further reflects Ascension Health's: Excellent geographic and financial dispersion as the largest nongovernmental not-for-profit health system in the country, with approximately $15 billion in operating revenue and about
