Moody's Investors Service has affirmed Chesterfield, Mo.-based Mercy Health's "Aa3" rating, affecting approximately $874 million of fixed rate and auction rate revenue bonds.
The rating affirmation is based on several factors, including Mercy's size and scope of operations covering markets in four states: Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas.
The outlook is revised to stable from negative, reflecting Mercy's improved operating margins in fiscal year 2015 and Moody's expectation that Mercy will generate margins adequate for an "Aa3"-rated health system in 2016.