S&P Global Ratings assigned an "A+" long-term rating to St. Louis-based SSM Health's $500 million of series 2017A taxable fixed-rate revenue bonds.
The agency also affirmed the "A+/A-1" rating on the health system's following bonds:
- Series 2014B variable-rate demand bonds
- Series 2014C variable-rate demand bonds
- Series 2014D variable-rate demand bonds
- Series 2014E variable-rate demand bonds
- Series 2014F variable-rate demand bonds
- Series 2014G variable-rate demand bonds
In addition, S&P also affirmed the "A-1" short-term rating on SSM Health's series A taxable commercial paper notes.
The outlook is negative, reflecting S&P Global Rating's expectation the health system's "current operational softness in the most recently ended fiscal year … has attenuated with the termination of SSM Health's plan to unite with Oklahoma University Medicine," said S&P analyst Kevin Holloran.