Here are eight 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. Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care has an "Aa2" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The health system has a strong market position, healthy liquidity, moderate leverage and good debt metrics, according to Moody's.
2. Phoenix-based Banner Health has an "AA-" rating and stable outlook with Fitch. The health system has a solid market position, adequate liquidity and healthy capital spending, according to Fitch.
3. Milwaukee-based Children's Hospital and Health System has an "Aa3" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The system has a strong balance sheet and is the dominant provider of tertiary and quaternary pediatric services in southeastern Wisconsin, according to Moody's.
4. Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, has an "Aa2" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The hospital has a strong market position, favorable leverage metrics and a solid liquidity position, according to Moody's.
5. Mercy Health in Cincinnati has an "Aa3" rating and stable outlook with Moody's and an "AA-" rating and stable outlook with S&P. The health system has solid debt service coverage and strong balance sheet metrics, according to Moody's.
6. Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, has an "Aa2" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The hospital has a strong market position, solid cash flow and healthy revenue growth, according to Moody's.
7. Iowa City-based University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics has as "Aa2" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The health system has a broad market with growing patient volumes and geographic reach for its high-acuity services. Moody's expects the health system's expense control initiatives to continue to gain traction through fiscal year 2018.
8. Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania Health System has an "Aa3" rating and stable outlook with Moody's. The health system has a strong market position, solid operating margins and limited debt burden, according to Moody's.
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