Monroe Clinic Takes a Hit

Fitch Ratings downgraded the Monroe Clinic Inc.’s rating one notch to A-minus due to its plans to added debt load that will come early month with the issuance of $65 million of fixed-rate bonds.

The bonds are being issued through the Monroe Redevelopment Authority. The action affects another $20.9 million of debt sold through the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority in 1999. The clinic will use the proceeds, along with a $31 million equity contribution and interest earnings, to fund construction of a new patient tower.

Analysts attributed the downgrade to sharp increase in debt service requirements and leverage. Maximum annual debt service will fall to 2.6 times from 7.5 %. The clinic a full-service 100-bed hospital that had $138 million of revenue in fiscal 2008.

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Healthcare industry Wisconsin
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