Marietta, Ohio-based Memorial Health System saw its outlook revised to negative as meaningful balance sheet growth and improved financial flexibility is likely several years away, Fitch said June 29.
The three-hospital system had its default rating and that on a series of bonds affirmed at "B+."
Continued operating pressure and relatively low cash flow could hinder the system's strategic growth initiatives, a reflection of the negative outlook, Fitch said.
Memorial Health operates the 199-bed Marietta Memorial Hospital and a 25-bed critical access hospital also in Marietta, Selby General Hospital. It also operates another critical access hospital, Sisterville (W.Va.) General Hospital, and nine outpatient centers.