The following hospital and health system credit rating and outlook changes and affirmations took place in the last week, beginning with the most recent.
1. Moody's upgrades Atlantic Health System's LOC-backed revenue bonds to 'Aa1'
Moody's Investors Service upgraded Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health System's letter of credit-backed series 2008B revenue bonds to "Aa1" from "Aa2."
2. Moody's downgrades Mercy Hospital's revenue bonds to 'B1'
Moody's Investors Service downgraded Oelwein, Iowa- based Mercy Hospital's revenue bonds to "B1" from "Baa2," affecting $71.4 million of debt.
3. Moody's revises Catholic Health System's outlook to negative
Moody's Investors Service affirmed the "Baa1" rating on Buffalo, N.Y.-based Catholic Health System, affecting $98 million of debt.
4. Moody's revises Fairfield Medical Center's outlook to negative
Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "Baa2" rating on Lancaster, Ohio-based Fairfield Medical Center's outstanding rated bonds issued by the County of Fairfield Ohio, affecting $92.8 million of outstanding debt.
5. Moody's assigns 'Baa2' rating to Virginia Mason Medical Center's bonds
Moody's Investors Service assigned its "Baa2" rating to Seattle-based Virginia Mason Medical Center's proposed $266 million series 2017 revenue bonds, to be issued by the Washington Health Care Facilities Authority.
6. Fitch places Care New England on Rating Watch Evolving
Fitch Ratings downgraded Providence, R.I.-based Care New England's series 2016B and 2016C revenue bonds to "BB" from "BBB-," affecting a total of $158.6 of debt.
7. Fitch downgrades Tulare Regional Medical Center's revenue bonds to 'B'
Fitch Ratings downgraded Tulare (Calif.) Regional Medical Center's series 2007 revenue bonds to "B" from "BB-," affecting $13.7 million of debt
8. Fitch affirms 'AA-' rating on Bayhealth Medical Center's bonds
Fitch Ratings affirmed its "AA-" rating on Dover, Del.-based Bayhealth Medical Center's series 2009A revenue bonds issued by the Delaware Health Facilities Authority, affecting $127 million of debt.
9. Moody's assigns 'Baa3' rating to St. Joseph's Healthcare System's bonds
Moody's Investors Service assigned its "Baa3" rating to Paterson, N.J.-based St. Joseph's Healthcare System's proposed $80 million series 2017 revenue bonds, to be issued by the New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority.
10. S&P revises Meritus Medical Center's outlook to stable
S&P Global Ratings affirmed its "BBB" rating on Hagerstown, Md.-based Meritus Medical Center's series 2015 bonds, issued by the Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority.
11. Moody's assigns 'Aa3' rating to Atlantic Health System's bonds
Moody's Investors Service assigned its "Aa3" rating to Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health System's proposed $250 million series 2017 bonds.