Here are 15 hospitals and health systems with strong operational metrics and solid financial positions according to recent reports from Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Hospital and health system names were compiled from recent credit rating reports and are listed in alphabetical order.
1. St. Louis-based Ascension Healthhas an "Aa2" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The health system has manageable leverage, limited debt structure risk and a large portfolio of sizeable hospitals, according to Moody's.
2. Coral Gables-based Baptist Health South Floridahas an "AA-" rating and stable outlook with S&P. The system maintained key balance sheet metrics and generated better-than-projected financial results in fiscal year 2016, according to S&P.
3. Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White Healthhas an "Aa3" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The health system has strong cash flow margins and a favorable business position as the largest nonprofit health system in Texas, according to Moody's.
4. Children's Hospital of Philadelphiahas an "Aa2" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The hospital has a history of solid financial performance and strong fundraising capabilities, according to Moody's.
5. Christiana Care Health Services has an "Aa2" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The Wilmington, Del.-based system has solid liquidity and a history of above average financial performance, according to Moody's.
6. Greenville (S.C.) Health Systemhas an "AA-" rating and stable outlook with Fitch. The system has recorded dramatic improvement in its operations, posting operating income of $18.6 million in fiscal year 2016 and $20.9 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2017, according to Fitch.
7. Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health has an "Aa2" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The system has healthy margins and a strong market position, according to Moody's.
8. Kaiser Permanente has an "AA-" rating and stable outlook with S&P. The Oakland, Calif.-based system has a strong enterprise profile with a favorable integrated business model, according to S&P.
9. Bryn Mawr, Pa.-based Main Line Healthhas an "Aa3" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The health system has a solid market position and additional support from independent foundations, according to Moody's.
10. Columbus-based OhioHealth has an "Aa2" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The system has a strong market position, consistently healthy cash flow margins, a manageable debt load and a solid investment position, according to Moody's.
11. Parkview Health System has an "Aa3" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The Columbia City, Ind.-based system has solid financial performance, healthy debt service coverage and has seen liquidity metrics improve, according to Moody's.
12. Albuquerque, N.M.-based Presbyterian Health Serviceshas an "AA" rating and stable outlook with S&P. The system has a solid financial profile and a modest debt load, according to S&P.
13. San Diego-based Rady Children's Hospital has an "Aa3" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The hospital has healthy balance sheet metrics and a strong market position in pediatric services, according to Moody's.
14. Madison-based University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinicshas an "Aa3" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The system has strong balance sheet resources and established clinical and academic market positions, according to Moody's.
15. WellSpan Healthhas an "Aa3" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The York, Pa.-based system has a strong and broadening market position and a track record of healthy financial performance, according to Moody's.
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